Equestrianism: Cook maintains form

Kristina Cook on Archrival II and Pippa Funnell on Walk on Star maintained the top two places, which they had held overnight, when the dressage phase of the Yorkshire Post Bramham International Horse Trials was completed yesterday.

Polly Stockton moved into third with Christopher Bartle's former partner, Oscar, nudging Jeanette Brakewell down a place with The Busker, who is one of two new advanced horses she began riding this year. All four riders have already been chosen for the Great Britain three-day event squad that contests the World Equestrian Games in September.

Archrival, who was bought by Cook as a four-year-old, won at Burgie in 1999. Funnell had held a six-point lead there after the cross-country only to suffer a fall in the show jumping with Jurassic Rising, who was her winning mount at Saumur last month.

Blyth Tait, who will be defending his world title in September, is lying fifth and best of the overseas riders with his last-minute ride, Rock It.

YORKSHIRE POST BRAMHAM INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS (Yorks) Results after dressage: 1 The Archrival II (K Cook, GB) 44.00 penalties; 2 Walk on Star (P Funnell, GB) 44.21; 3 Oscar (P Stockton, GB)44.40; 4 The Busker (J Brakewell, GB) 45.41; 5 Rock It (B Tait, NZ) 46.20; 6 Mallards Treat (A Nicholson, NZ) 47.40.