Equestrianism: Phillips leads British chase

Germany's Bettina Hoy produced her customary brilliant test to hold the lead from her team-mate, Ingrid Klimke on Sleep Late, at the end of the dressage phase of the three-day event at the World Equestrian Games here.

The British were, however, given a boost as well with splendid performances from Zara Phillips on Toy Town and William Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo, who are now lying fifth and eighth. As a result the British team has advanced from sixth to third as riders prepare for today's cross-country.

Phillips was the first to raise British hopes with a fluent test on the equable Toy Town with whom she won last year's European championship. Fox-Pitt and Tamarillo gave supporters a more harrowing time, notably when the overwrought horse tried to move off too early after the first salute. But he was contained thereafter, thus clawing back most of the lost marks.

Today's 31-fence cross-country course will pose Phillips's biggest challenge to date. "It's jumpable, you've just got to concentrate," her father Captain Mark Phillips, who is also trainer of the United States team, said. There were plaudits from many quarters, including Bettina Hoy's Australian husband Andrew (now lying in 15th place on Master Monarch) who described it as "the strongest but the nicest course I've ever seen". There are plenty of places for riders to be caught napping, but no serious traps for the horses.

Germany's Isabell Werth received the first individual gold medal for pure dressage when she gained almost 80 per cent on Satchmo, defeating the Dutch star Anky Van Grunsven on Keltec Salinero. Britons failed to finish among the top 15 who qualify for tonight's Freestyle to Music.