UPTON-upon-Severn based Olympic gold medallists Leslie law had every reason to be delighted with his performance at the 2005 Windsor International Horse Trials, held in the parkland surrounding Windsor Castle.

The 40-year-old had two chances at the two-star three- day event, which was won by Rolex Grand Slam and Badminton winner Pippa Funnell on the ex-racehorse Blue Horizon.

Law's best result came on the nine-year-old bay mare Best Wishes, who he was riding for owner Judy Graham.

The pair pulled up from 11th after the opening dressage phase and jumped a fine clear inside the timed cross-country to complete the event in a highly creditable fifth spot.

Concerns about the going led to several riders pulling out before the cross-country, including 2005 Badminton runner-up William Fox Pitt on both his rides. The course rode well, however, with all but two riders in the top 20 getting home inside the optimum time.

"Best Wishes went well -- the cross-country was a decent track and it caused a few run-outs, but not necessarily at the places people were expecting," said Law.

"The going was on the firm side and has long been a bit of a problem at Windsor -- apart from watering it's difficult to know what they can do. The organisers have taken a lot of roughness out of the ground and put a lot of effort in, but it's not easy if you get a dry spell."

The pair had just one fence down in the final show jumping phase, over a twisty track where the time was tight, but this cost them just one place.

Law was also 20th on Keith Scott's eight-year-old Jackson D'Allez, who had 4.8 cross-country time penalties and one show jump down.

"I was also delighted with Jackson D'Allez and both horses will now have a fortnight off, with another two-star international event this autumn as their main aim," Law added.

"I'll be going to Sansaw Park International Horse Trials in Shropshire next on the first weekend in June."

Tenbury Wells-based Rosie Tho-mas also had two rides at Windsor, both of whom jumped great clears inside the time cross country.

Ten-year-old The Jaywalker, who Rosie was riding for Emma Marrs, pulled up from 83rd after dressage to finish 32nd overall, slipping a few places with two down in the final show jumping phase.

Thomas' 11-year-old Barry's Best had moved from 59th after dressage to a place just outside the top 20 following cross-country.

Unluckily, four show jumps down dropped the pair to 35th overall but both the horse's cross country ability bodes well for the future and must have left Rosie full of confidence.