Clark Montgomery (USA) heads the Event Rider Masters (ERM) leader board ahead of tomorrow’s showjumping and cross-country at Bramham International Horse Trials. The UK based US rider, on board Loughan Glen, was the second competitor to break the sub 40 score, finishing on an impressive 36.5!!

William Levett (AUS), the first competitor to break the sub 40 dressage score ‘seal’ for the inaugural ERM, finished the day in second on 39 riding the 17hh Irish Sports, Horse Shannondale Titan. Levett was among the last of the riders, along with Montgomery, responsible for shaking up the overnight leader board.

In third Alex Hua Tian, riding Don Geniro, only missed out on the sub 40 club by 0.2. Now based in Knustford, Cheshire, Alex was originally born in China and is the first rider to have represented the country at an Olympic Games. His dressage today was consistent to his score achieved during the first leg of the ERM, held at Chatsworth Horse Trials last month.

Pippa Funnell, riding the 2000 Selle Francais Gelding, Mirage D’Elle, held an early lead as the mornings dressage session concluded. However the showground wasn’t the only place to heat up in the afternoon as many riders superseded Funnell’s score, pushing her down to sixth place.

Tomorrow’s ERM CIC3* programme starts at 8.30am with the showjumping. Cross-country follows at 3.30pm before the second leg ERM winner is announced.