O'Connor sets dressage standard

O'Connor set a new record in the event

United States equestrian rider David O'Connor produced a spectacular performance in the dressage to lead the individual three-day event.

O'Connor scored 29, the first rider in eventing to have scored penalties below 30, and has put his success down to golfer Tiger Woods.

"I think more and more riders are doing the Tiger Woods type thing," said O'Connor.

"He goes in there and lifts weights and all that type of thing, and this is an athletic deal, so I think it is becoming part of everybody's program.

"Actually it has (also) improved my golf swing."

O'Connor was also delighted with his ride, Custom Made.

Previous best

"It's a partnership. He felt good in his mind and his body. He's special when he's like that," added O'Connor.

"He was beautiful to ride - it's been coming for six months now he has gotten stronger and better.

"But to break 30, I have never done that on any horse in my life, I have never seen it happen."

Australia's Andrew Hoy had held the previous best with a score of 30.6, but this time the team gold medallist could only manage 39.8 on Swizzle, which left him in joint fifth with Sweden's Sofia Andler.

"I think I rode as well as I could in the arena - I am really happy," said Hoy.

"I knew it would be exhausting and I had to do the same thing in Atlanta."

Germany's Marine Kohncke is in second place on 34 penalty points, Greece's Heidi Antikatzidis is third on 37.40 and New Zealander Mark Todd, who retires from competition after the Games, fourth on 39.