Equestrianism: Hoy sets the standard in dressage

Andrew Hoy's expertise in the dressage arena was in evidence again here yesterday when the triple Olympic gold medallist achieved the best score on Mr Pracatan to hold the lead after the first day of dressage at the Burghley Horse Trials.

Hoy, who won with Davey when he first competed here in 1979, has a 1.59-point advantage over Mary King and King Solomon III, with New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson 1.2pt further back on New York.

Hoy rode Mr Pracatan into seventh place at the three-star event at Bramham in June, but the horse will make his first attempt at a four-star cross-country course here tomorrow.

King Solomon, fourth here last year, was due to run at Badminton in May until he was found to have a heart murmur immediately before the cross-country. The 14-year-old has since proved his well-being by finishing second at Thirlestane Castle. "His heart is fine," said King, who regards the 32-fence course, designed by Germany's Wolfgang Feld, as "big and bold and well within Solly's capabilities."

The three elements of the Pig Sties (fence 15) and the Burghley Bank (16) are the two obstacles which concern King the most while Hoy has been spending some time figuring out the best route over the two parts of the bank.

BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS (Stamford, Lincs): Results after first day of dressage: 1 Mr Pracatan (A Hoy, Aus) 44.81; 2 King Solomon III (M King, GB) 46.40; 3 New York (A Nicholson, NZ) 47.60; 4 Kibah Sandstone (M Ryan, Aus) 49.01; 5 Shear l'Eau (L Law, GB) 49.20; 6 Moon Man (W Fox-Pitt, GB) 52.01.