The five-strong Australian team ranked 1st with total 102.80 penalty points after the dressage phase of the Olympic team eventing at the Shatin equestrian arena on Sunday.

Although Australia leads the competition, ahead of Germany and the United States, Australian rider Shane Rose did not satisfy his horse's performance today.

"I am very disappointed. He (All Luck, his horse's name) got very tense and angry. I think he is just having a bad day, unfortunately," Rose told reporters after the morning dressage section.

Germany and the United States placed 2nd and 3rd with total 110.50 penalty points and 115.60, respectively.

Meanwhile, during the eventing individual dressage, Australian rider Lucinda Fredericks and horse Headley Britannia recorded a score of 30.40 penalty points and topped the list.

Nicolas Touzaint, France's real chance at a medal, withdrew 10 minutes before they were due into the arena Friday night because of the injury of his horse Galan de Sauvagere.

Belgium rider Karin Donckers came second with her horse Gazellede La Brasserie finishing with a score of 31.70 while German rider Ingrid Klimke and her horse Abraxxas were third with 33.50 penalty points.

Dressage, the first phase of eventing, will be followed by cross-country and show jumping next week.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)