Chris Burton and his horse Shadow Man have put themselves into the medal positions for Australia after the dressage phase of the Olympic eventing competition at the matchless Chateau de Versailles venue.
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Burton, the 42-year-old British-based Queenslander who was a bronze medallist in the team event in Rio eight years ago, was lying joint-third in the individual standings at the end of the first day of competition on Saturday.
But the Australian team, silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, looked to have their work cut out to match that performance as they lay eighth in the overall team standings.
Great Britain, the defending champions, were leading the way again, with Laura Collett heading the individual standings at the end of what she described as a devastating week for the equestrian team following dressage star Charlotte Dujardin's withdrawal.
Dujardin, one of Britain's most decorated female athletes, was given a six-month ban by equestrian's governing body pending an investigation, following the release of a video that showed the champion horsewoman hitting a student's horse repeatedly with a whip during a coaching session four years ago.
Collett posted a new Olympic record of 17.50 penalty points aboard London 52 to take the overnight lead.
But Burton was well-placed going into Sunday's cross country stage in joint-third place alongside China's Alex Hua Tian on just 22.00, while Germany's three-time Olympic champ Michael Jung was second on 17.80.
Shane Rose, on Virgil, was lying 38th overall on 34.60, while Kevin McNab, his fellow silver medalist from Tokyo, was 41st on Don Quidam (34.90).
The Australians were on a total of 91.50 points in the team event, with Collett's teammates Tom McEwen and Rosalind Canter putting GB well in command on 66.70 points ahead of Germany (74.10) and France (81.20).
Australian Associated Press
