All three British riders will progress to the second round of the individual Olympic showjumping competition this afternoon in Greenwich.
Nick Skelton and Scott Brash both jumped clear on Big Star and Hello Sanctos, while Ben Maher just had the middle part of the treble down for four faults on Tripple X.
“I’d have been disappointed if he didn’t jump clear; he’s fresh and in great form,” said Nick, whose horse is the only one not to have dropped at pole at any stage.
Twenty-two riders out of the original 37 will jump again; there were six clears, four with one time-fault, nine with four faults and three with four faults and a time-fault.
Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, who only squeezed into the individual competition when Rolf-Goran Bengtsson’s Casall (Sweden) failed this morning’s trot-up, was the first clear on Blue Loyd 12.
The other clears at this stage are France’s Olivier Guillon (Lord De Theize), Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (Nino Des Buissonnets), and Marcus Ehning (Germany, Plot Blue).
Horse & Hound’s full report on the individual Olympic showjumping final will be on sale Thursday 16 August
