OLYMPIC champion Leslie Law made a fine start to the 2005 season by being among the winners at the Lincoln one-day event.

The Upton-on-Severn-based three-day event gold medallist headed an Intermediate section on Judy Graham's horse Best Wishes, making a good return to form after a long lay- off.

The horse had just one run in 2004 but, after an excellent opening dressage test, held the lead despite knocking one show jump down in the middle phase.

Law, aged 39, also headed a Novice section on seven-year-old Kif D Estruval, who he is riding for well-known Shropshire racing owner John Hales.

The pair were following up a novice win at the Oasby one-day event in Lincolnshire a week earlier, and look an impressive new partnership.

Law has been given the ride as the horse fell short of racing standard but looks capable of making the grade as an international event horse on present form.

Worcester-based Bryony Wilson finished fourth in the same novice section at Lincoln.

She rode Ardela Mayfair, a young horse she has been bringing on since 2003, and jumped a good double clear, with just 2.8 cross country time penalties, to achieve the partnership's best novice result to date.

Wilson finished 15th last year at the Windsor CCI** three-day event on top ride Coquin Du Vallon and ended the year just outside the top 30 at the Weston Park CCI** in Shropshire on her other advanced horse, Briarlands Firewood.

Bromsgrove's Adrian Little was eighth in an Intermediate section on Golden Overlord, jumping a steady clear cross country.

Meanwhile, Irish rider Austin O'Connor, based near Stourport, made the line-up at the Aldon one-day event in Somerset.

He finished third in a strong Intermediate section on eight-year-old Thoroughbred Pocket Rocket.

Austin was also 12th in a top Open Intermediate section, that drew many of the best British-based riders, on Primitive Habit.