The five-strong Australian team ranked 1st with total 102.80 penalty points after the dressage phase of the Olympic team eventing at the Shatin equestrian arena here on Sunday.
Although Australia leads the competition, ahead of Germany and the United States, rider Shane Rose was not satisfied with his horse's performance Sunday.
"I am very disappointed. He (All Luck, his horse's name) got very tense and angry. I think he is just having a bad day, unfortunately," Rose told reporters after the morning dressage section.
Germany and the United States placed 2nd and 3rd with 110. 50 and 115.60, respectively.
Meanwhile, during the eventing individual dressage, Australian rider Lucinda Fredericks and horse Headley Britannia recorded a score of 30.40 penalty points and topped the list.
Nicolas Touzaint, France's real chance at a medal, withdrew 10 minutes before they were due into the arena Friday night because of the injury of his horse Galan de Sauvagere.
Belgium rider Karin Donckers came second with her horse Gazelle de La Brasserie finishing with a score of 31.70 while German rider Ingrid Klimke and her horse Abraxxas were third with 33.50 penalty points.
Mark Todd, veteran New Zealand rider and twice Olympic gold medalist, finished only the 30th in the fierce competition. He said he did not expect too high a goal of winning the gold.
Chinese young rider Hua Tian dropped to the 31st on Sunday from the 18th on the previous day. He attributed it to his horse Chico, who he said was still adjusting to the environment of the new arena. Given Chico's strong competitiveness in cross-country, Hua expected to move up in rank in upcoming events.
Dressage, the first phase of eventing, will be followed by cross-country and show jumping next week.
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)