William Fox-Pitt takes pole position in Deodoro after stunning opening day

The United States’ Clark Montgomery stands in 10th place with Loughan Glen after a test that left him feeling downcast, but hopeful for the week ahead. “He felt calm and on the job”.

Last October, William Fox-Pitt’s Olympic three-day-event campaign was progressing according to plan when he suffered what he calls “an inconvenience”. He returned to the saddle in December and began competing in mid-May.

“This is this horse’s time to shine in the dressage and he was a little disappointing”, Montgomery said. “For me, it was ideal timing, and I am just lucky to be here”.

“Chilli is great on the flat, and he did very good tests at the Caen 2014 World Equestrian Games and Malmo 2013 European Championships, and I did not want to let him down”.

Australia’s Chris Burton is just 0.6 of a penalty behind William with Santano II.

Fox-Pitt said: “That was what I was dreaming of”.

“I’ve always worn a top hat for dressage; I’ve been eventing for 33 years and it’s part of the dress”, he stated.

WILTSHIRE riders featured prominently as the Olympic eventing competition got under way in Rio today.

Britain’s first rider into the arena, Gemma Tattersall on Quicklook V, is now 15th.

Britain lie third behind Germany and Australia in the team competition. And lying in 3rd place is Michel Jung of Germany with his own veteran mount Sam FBW.

“I’m very happy”, he said.

USA riders Boyd Martin with his OTTB, Blackfoot Mystery, and Clark Montgomery with Loughan Glen had their dressage rides today.

“There are questions the whole way around, and I think we’re going to have to be absolutely on it”.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of today was Clark Montgomery’s test on Loughan Glen for the USA team.