Equestrianism: Lyon rediscovers appetite

Polly Lyon rode an excellent dressage test on the seven-year-old chestnut, Wat Tyler, to hold the lead for the International Section of the Chubb Insurance Windsor Horse Trials after yesterday's first day of dressage. Lyon holds a 1.6pt advantage from Dutchman Eddy Stibbe on Kilkea Castle. Darrell Scaife is 6.4pts further back in third place on Fairie Dazzler, writes Genevieve Murphy from Windsor Great Park.

In the four years from 1987 to 1990, Lyon was regarded as the most promising young rider in the country. She won the Junior European title once and the Young Riders' equivalent twice; she also finished ninth at Badminton. But injuries to her horses and herself prompted her to take a break from international events. She has spent the intervening years building up her own yard at Charlton Park in Wiltshire.

Now 28, and engaged for the last six weeks to Toby Williamson, who is equerry to the Queen, Lyon has recovered her appetite for success.

Lyon had to withdraw Highland Glen from Badminton because of minor problems. But William Russell's Wat Tyler, bred in Ireland and bought in Anglesey two years ago, could bring a change of fortune as he tackles his first three-day event.