The leaderboard is closer in the individual race with Burton sitting on 37.60, fewer than four penalties (one show jumping rail) in front of Michael Jung of Germany who is on 40.90, while France’s Astier Nicolas is third with 42.
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Merel Blom of the Netherlands just came up short to push her nation past Britain for fifth place, setting up the battle for the medals, with Australia, Germany, France and New Zealand liking their chances.
In addition to determining the team medals, the morning jumping round also served as a qualifier for a final jumping round to determine individual medals on Tuesday afternoon.
As Toowoomba’s Emilee Cherry and Gemma Etheridge celebrate winning gold in women’s rugby sevens, Burton leads the individual standings in eventing after the cross country stage of the competition. Early leader Great Britian’s William Fox-Pitt also from Dorset was relegated down the leader-board after his horse had a refusal.
“He’s a very green, inexperienced horse so I took full long routes”, Burton said.
Fellow Australian Sam Griffiths also completed a clear run, but picked up 6.8 time penalties and individually Griffiths sits in ninth position with a score of 53.10.
Sydney Olympic gold medallist Stuart Tinney, the third Australian on the course, sits 14th in the individual on 59.6 penalty points after adding only 2.8 time penalties to his dressage score.
The team jumping final was up first, and Great Britain started well.
Eighteen of 65 horse and rider pairs were eliminated or withdrew on Monday, five with falls on what several riders said was the most hard course they had ever ridden.
“I was on my time and just in the water he got a little clagged and wasn’t responding. I can see people probably getting a better time if they go all the straight ways”, Griffiths said. Competition begins at 11pm AEST Tuesday.
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Australia has taken the bronze medal in the eventing team competition after a dramatic finish that went down to the final rider.
