Rio grand! with a brilliant dressage score Brazilian Marcio C Jorge leads the Event Rider Masters on Barbury's third day
Team trainer Sir Mark Todd joins in the Brazilian rider's celebrationsThe third day (July 9) of the St James's Place Barbury International Horse Trials saw the opening contest of the third leg of the inaugural Event Rider Master series. Giving the home Olympic team a great boost, the top dressage score came from Brazilian rider Marcio C Jorge. His score of 32.5 is also the best dressage score of the ERM series so far.
His horse Lissy Mac Wayer thrilled the watching crowds with an accurate and expressive test to record a personal best. The Brazilian team’s trainer Sir Mark Todd joined in the celebrations - delighted with the Brazilian's success so soon before the Rio Games.
Another personal best came from Swedish rider Hedwig Wik on her debut in the ERM competitions. After her 35.9 score with her horse Chippieh to take second position, she gave an emotional interview to ERM's Alice Plunkett - she was visibly moved by her horse’s performance.
ERM's Alice Plunkett interviews Marcio C Jorge 
The delighted Hedvig Wik
Andrew Nicholson and NereoNew Zealander Andrew Nicholson (Lockeridge) holds third place on Nereo with a score of 37.6. In fourth comes Izzy Taylor - a member of Team GB for the Olympics - and Be Touchable on 38.0. Senior New Zealand team member Sir Mark Todd riding Leonidas is in fifth place on 40.1.
Anyone who missed today’s dressage can 'Watch Again' on www.eventridermasters.tv
Elsewhere on the Marlborough Downs, Barbury's usual schedule of competitions was underway in a hectic day of show jumping and cross country.
William Fox-Pitt won the CIC2* Section C on Secret Night - the same horse he won with at Tattersalls in Ireland last month which was his first win since returning from a serious injury.
Flora Harris enjoyed a good afternoon at her local event, with a win in Section D of the CIC2*on Monart’s Masterpiece. She lives just two miles down the road at Julia Norman’s Windmill Stud at Uffcot: “To come to Barbury and win is fantastic. This is the fastest I’ve been on him. He’s sensitive and tricky but so talented. The course rode really well – the ground was quick, but not hard.”
William Fox-Pitt’s fellow Rio-bound British riders Gemma Tattersall (Quicklook V) and Pippa Funnell (Billy The Biz) head the CIC3* after the dressage and the show jumping. The CIC3* cross-country starts at 11.30am on Sunday (July 10).