Oliver Townend is the overnight leader after dressage in both the 3* and 2* at Floors Castle International Horse Trials.

Finley du Loir, who won the 2* here last year, heads the 3* on 26.4, with Nina De Haas on Martin and Kerry Richards JVK Maguire on 26.9 and Emily King on Vicki and Stewart Irlam’s Jackpot on 27.1 breathing down his neck.

The eight-year-old, owned by Sir John Peace, already has an intermediate win at Cirencester and a third in the 3* at Burnham Market under his belt this season.

The final section of 3* dressage takes place Friday morning.

Six-year-old mare, Hialiska de Takam, also owned by Sir John Peace, heads the 2* on 25.6 with Farah Cunningham and King Cotton Legacy in second place. Lucinda Atkinson and former Nicola Wilson ride Frankfort Pointllexi, owned by Nicola’s mother-in-law Diana Wilson are currently in third.

Emma Carmichael celebrated her return to competition after breaking her pelvis in six places by winning the four-year-old Burghley Young Event Horse class on Fiona Bell, Lesley Waugh and her own Renkum Sportsman (Renkum Papillon x Cobretti).

“He came in to be rebacked in January and I was itching to get on him as I could see he was talented. I got back to riding mid-March and this was my first competition since my accident. I think a lot of this horse so I’m thrilled to have qualified first time out,” she said.

The runner up, Elspeth Williams on her own Milena (Diego De Semilly x Cassall) also qualified.

The five-year-old class was headed by Charlotte Donald on Helen Bell’s Mapleways Cristo (Cristo x Contendro 1).

“I have his half-brother at home and this is his first outing away from home. We are very proud of him.”

Daniel Scott and Ballymolloy Roscoe in second, and Toby Parson in third with Nasgow L, also qualified.

Follow the action from Floors Castle here https://kickonevents.co.uk/

Image of four-year-old winner Renkum Sportsman with his owners.