New Zealand riders fill three of the top ten places at the Badminton Horse trials after the first day of dressage.
Clarke Johnstone on Balmoral Sensation is fourth with 40.8 penalty points, Jesse Campbell on Kaapachino is fifth with 41.1 and Jonathon Paget riding Clifton Lush is ninth with 45.2.
The veteran New Zealand rider Blyth Tait is competing at the event for the first time in 16 years after winning in 2000 and currently lies in 17th place on Bear Necessity V.
Blyth Tait and Bear Necessity V during the vet inspection at Badminton. Photo: Photosport
He said he was happy with the result so far.
"I'm pleased with him. He's green at this level and he's not naturally adept at this phase but he really does try. He stayed calm, he remained responsive and I made some errors there's no doubt about it so plenty to polish up on."
Germany's Michael Jung is the current leader on 34.4 penalty points.
