BRITISH riders got off to a superb start in the dressage at the Bramham International Horse Trials.

The first half of the opening section in the prestigious three-day event saw GB's Olympic trio Kristina Cook (ne Gifford), Pippa Funnell and Jeanette Brakewell set the early pace, writes Tony Curtis.

Cook, riding Archrival II, took the overnight lead with 44 penalties points, while trailing by just 0.21 points is Pippa Funnell on Walk On Star. Funnell, who won the Badminton title this year, is at Bramham Park hunting for her first success there in a decade. Brakewell, with her mount The Busker, completes the top three trio on 45.41.

New Zealander Blyth Tait, who finished second back in 2000, is well-placed in fourth on Rock It, while another of Britain's top riders, William Fox-Pitt, is fifth on Just A Sovereign.

Driffield's Camilla Hall and Graffiti Limbo are down in 27th place, but that is still better than the 2000 champion Paul Tapner, with the Australian down in 44th.

The second half of the dressage starts today, as does the Young Riders section, with Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne and former Bramham course designer Captain Mark Phillips, set to have the biggest following.

Updated: 11:31 Friday, June 07, 2002