AN impressive dressage performance by Worcestershire rider Leslie Law has helped Great Britain into second place after the first day of the team Three-Day Event in Sydney.

Law, from Ink-berrow, recorded the second lowest individual tally of the day of 44.00 on his horse Shear H20 behind Australia's dual gold medallist Andrew Hoy (30.60).

With Jeanette Brakewell, the youngest member of the British squad, accumulating 50.60 in her three tests on Over to You, Britain are on 94.60 points with Australia leading on 76.60 and France third on 98.60.

Toby Vincent, Britain's assistant team manager, was "extremely pleased" with the way Law performed.

"Leslie was cracking," he said. He was meticulous in his preparation and it really paid off today. He peaked exactly when he needed to, and both of them have given a lot of encouragement to the others for tomorrow."

"Training with Chris Bartel is what got us the mark," Law said. "It was Chris' 44, not mine. We've just been improving and improving with him."

Ian Stark, on Jaybee, and Pippa Funnell, with Supreme Rock, will complete Britain's quartet in the dressage tests tomorrow, with the cross-country and jumping sections to follow.