Great Britain sits in pole position on the leader board at Blair Castle for both the team and individual FEI Longines European Eventing Championships events at the close of the first day of play.
The youngest rider of the field, 21-year-old Holly Woodhead, who is originally from Yorkshire, but who now competes from a base in Marlborough, snared the best dressage from day one riding DHI Lupison.
Despite spooking at the flower pots adorning the arena, the 11-year-old gelding pulled a 78.85% test out of the bag to lead on 31.7 penalties.
“I’ve had a really good run of preparation so I wasn’t too nervous about making my debut for Great Britain,” said the rider.
She said her national team mates have advised her to “stay focused” going into the remainder of the competition, but above all to “have fun”.Follow live updates throughout the championships at www.thecourier.co.uk/blair2015Germany’s Michael Jung sits in overnight second, riding the eight-year-old horse Fischer Takinou, on a penalty of 33.5.
“He might be the youngest horse of the field, but I was very happy about his dressage,” commented Michael.
He said, whilst he had two options of which horse to compete at Blair, he always intended to start on Takinou as his breeding (which is heavily orientated by Thoroughbreds) will be better suited to the hilly cross country terrain.
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“I’ve walked the course several times now I find it very interesting. It is all uphill until fence seven. There is no real scope to gallop on and get the time. There are few tracks where you will build the speed and momentum.”
As a result, Michael said he thinks the optimum time will prove both difficult to attain and therefore will be highly influential to the leader board on Saturday.
“We certainly have some interesting days ahead,” he said.
Team GBR rider and former Blair Castle winner Nicola Wilson currently sits in third.
Her score of 34.6, riding One Two Many, also puts Britain into pole position for the team event, coupled to Kitty King and Persimmon’s test of just 36.9, which in turn commands an overnight fifth place individual ranking.
Following hot on the heels of Team GBR in the team event, France take overnight second; with Germany in team third.
“It has been a great opening day for the competition,” commented event director Alec Lochore.
“I’m extremely grateful the sun has been shining. Someone up there has certainly been looking down favourably upon us.”
According to Mr Lochore, tickets for the event have now been sold across 26 different countries.
The competition is expected to attract in the region of 80,000 spectators over the next three days.