Equestrian: Brown leads Puhinui three-day

Lizzie Brown riding Henton Attorney General scored 46.2 dressage penalties to lead after the first day. Photo / Getty Images

Cambridge's Lizzie Brown leads the three-star class after the first day of the Puhinui international three-day equestrian event, scoring 46.2 dressage penalties with Henton Attorney General.

South Islander Emily Butcher is second with Southern Ben on 46.2, with Brown holding third position on her second horse, Push Play, with 50.6 penalties.

World Equestrian Games bronze medal winning New Zealand team member Clarke Johnstone lies fourth on Incognito with 52.4, with the scores close enough to ensure keen competition on Saturday's cross-country.

A refusal or run-out on the cross-country course costs 20 penalties, so all competitors will be looking for clear, fast rounds to avoid adding time penalties.

- NZPA