DOUBLE Olympic silver medallist William Fox-Pitt is the early leader of the CIC*** at Barbury Horse Trials.

The 48-year-old Brit leads after the first day of dressage on a score of 40.7 on Clifton Signature on what was a scorching first day on the Ridgeway.

The former world number one, who was in an induced coma in 2015 after suffering head trauma following a fall at the World Young Horse Championship, was on fine form but is not taking anything for granted with two stages still to come.

“It’s early days,” he said.

“It’s my first three-star test on Signature. He is a lovely horse, he does a good dressage test and, probably, there’s more to come I think.

“I’m very happy, pleased with the start and we’ll see where we go from there.”

Marlborough-based Andrew Nicholson, on Swallow Spring, in third place on a score of 43.9, and Oliver Townend splitting the two with a score of 42.9 on Note Worthy.

“He was good,” said Nicholson.

“She was a bit wriggly and I think the first shoulder was a bit wriggly, but otherwise, it was pretty good.”

Meanwhile, last year’s CIC*** winner Christopher Burton leads this year’s CIC** section after the first dressage stage on Lawtown Boy, with a score of 37.4, closely followed by Emily King, just 0.1 of a mark behind on Cooley Currency.

Marlborough-based Kiwi Tim Price is well placed after day one as he sits fourth and seventh on Cooley Showtime and Xavier Faer respectively, with Ludwig Svennerstal occupying third spot.

MORE FROM THE BARBURY HORSE TRIALS HERE TOMORROW