Cook eighth on day one
Great Britain's Tina Cook stands eighth after day one of eventing in Hong Kong, with Australia's Lucinda Fredericks leading.
Last Updated: 09/08/08 4:24pm
Tina Cook led Great Britain's bid for medal success on the opening day of eventing in Hong Kong, although it was Australia who assumed control of proceedings during the dressage section.
Cook, making her first Olympic Games appearance, produced her best dressage to date upon Miners Frolic to score an impressive 40.20 penalty points.
She therefore finished the day in eighth place overall, 9.8 points behind individual event leader Lucinda Fredericks of Australia.
British-born Fredericks is also taking part in her first Olympics and topped the standings after scoring 30.40 on Headley Britannia.
The 42-year-old leads Belguim's Karin Donckers, who scored 31.70 points on Gazelle De La Brasserie, while another Australian, Megan Jones, is joint third on 35.70 on Irish Jester.
She lies alongside Rebecca Holder of the United States, with the latter rider earning the same score on Courageous Comet.
Fredericks' husband and team-mate Clayton is fourth with 37.00 on Ben Along Time.
Cook's fellow Team GB members William Fox-Pitt and Daisy Dick are placed 11th and 13th respectively, respectively scoring 50.20 and 51.70 points on Parkmore Ed and Spring Along.
But French hopes were dealt a severe blow when Nicolas Touzaint was forced to withdraw due to an injury to his horse Galan De Sauvagere.
In the team standings, Australia sit comfortably in first place on 102.80 points, ahead of the United States, Germany and Sweden.
Great Britain stand fifth at the end of the first day, with Sharon Hunt and Mary King completing the dressage section in the third session which starts on Sunday morning.
