Britain's Para-equestrian team took the lead in the standing of the team test in the opening day of the Beijing Paralympic Equestrian Events on Sunday.

Britain came first on the total of 220.470 percentage points. Germany was second on 204.092 points while Norway finished third on 202.092 points.

The British riding team is facing tough challenge in 2008 Para-equestrian, while in the hope of winning their fourth team gold medals in a row.

Dressage is the only Equestrian discipline that is included in the Paralympic Games.

Team test for riders of all five Grades were held on Sunday. The score from this test will be added to the Individual Championship Test score to give a total combined percentage points which will become the final score for team.

The five Grades are: Grades Ia, Ib, II, III and IV. Riders are classified according to their type of impairment or disability but in competition are judged wholly on their display of horsemanship skills.

The difference between the Grades lies in the set movements, which vary in difficulty between each Grade. The movements in Grades Ia and Ib are less difficult because the riders are more impaired or disabled. Grade IV includes the most difficult movements as the riders are least impaired or disabled.

A total of 73 riders from 28 countries and regions compete for 11 gold medals in the five-day Beijing Paralympic Equestrian Events.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2008)