GB start well at Hickstead

Great Britain lie third at the European Dressage Championships in Hickstead after the first day.

Team debutante Emma Hindle and her mount Wie Weltmeyer took fourth on the opening day of the Grand Prix team contest.

Cheshire-born Hindle, 28, combined with Emile Faurie and Rascher Hopes who were ninth, to leave the hosts in third with two riders from each of the 15 teams to ride on Friday.

The leader, Germany's defending champion Ulla Salgeber, only won a last-minute reprieve to start.

Her mount Rusty tested positive for a banned substance last March and is competing under appeal as the case is still on-going.

Showjumper Duncan Inglis on Lavaletto took the Hickstead Derby tankard with the only double clear round.

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European Dressage Championships, Hickstead
Team Grand Prix (day 1):
1 Rusty (U Salzgeber, Ger) 1878
2 Bonaparte (H Kemmer, Ger) 1774
3 Invasor (R Soto, Spa) 1710
4 Wie Weltmeyer (E Hindle, Gbr) 1705
5 Gestion Silvanon (E Bontje, Ned) 1701
6 Rocher (G Williams, USA) 1683
9 Rascher Hopes (E Faurie, Gbr) 1595

Team placings after 2 horses:
1 Germany 3652pts
2 Spain 3324
3 Great Britain 3303
4 Holland 3276
5 Austria 3178
6 Denmark 3108