THE BLAIR Castle International Horse Trials saw cross country action yesterday with the international one star class tackling over 20 fences in the challenging terrain around the estate.

New Zealander Neil Spratt added nothing to his dressage score of 42.5 on Solo Voyage to take the lead in the class, 2.5 points behind is Sarra Mayberry from Stirling riding Hownam Law.

In third place, from first overnight is Nick Gauntlett with Chilli Morning, he added 10 time faults to his dressage score to put him on a total score of 47.1.

Today this class has its finale in the main arena with the showjumping phase and prizegiving.

Things are not going to plan for the British Young Riders Team as they are lying in seventh place after the dressage.

Germany are first with 138.4, with France only four penalty points behind on 142.4 and the Netherlands in third on 151.2.

The Netherlands’ good placing comes largely from the best dressage score of the day of 43.2 from their leading rider, Huub Van Der Mark and his horse, Exquis Idem Du Roc. He pushed the overnight leader, Germany’s Sabrina Mertens and Divolo into second place with another German rider, Sandra Auffarth and Nobel Prince Old, in third.

Best of the Brits is still Nicola Wilson and Oingy Boingy in 7th place on a score of 47.4.

It is still all to ride for however, with today’s cross country bound to be influential in the final placings, followed by tomorrow’s showjumping before the medals are presented by the Princess Royal.

The two and three star dressage also finished yesterday and William Fox-Pitt has first placings in each section.

His score of 41.3 on Macchiato put him in the lead in the three star ahead of former world champion Matt Ryan from Australia on Slight of Hand on 44.1. Oliver Townend and Golden Hue and Lucy Wiegersma and Woodfalls Pure Gold share third spot on 45.4.

William Fox-Pitt and Bee Animas leapfrogged overnight leader Andrew Nicholson to lead the two star after dressage on a score of 41.3.

He also lies equal third on All That Jazz V. New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson is in second and equal third with Epic on a score of 41.6 and Nereo on a score of 43.1 respectively.