Thomas Carlile and Upsilon were the best performers in the dressage ©Getty Images

France and the United States are tied after the dressage phase of the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) Nations Cup Eventing leg in Millstreet.

Both countries have a score of 85.70 after competition began at the Irish venue.

France's Thomas Carlile was the best individual performer and was given 16.80 points on board Upsilon.

Second best was American Bruce O'Davidson Jr, who scored 23.50 alongside Carlevo.

Britain sit third overall on 86.50.

Francis Whittington was their best scoring rider, tallying 27.60 with Nimrod II.

Two Irish teams are fourth and fifth, on 114.30 and 165.40 respectively.

Competition will continue tomorrow with the cross-country element before jumping on Sunday (August 26).

Francis Whittington was Britain's best scoring rider ©Getty Images
Francis Whittington was Britain's best scoring rider ©Getty Images

The event is being held under the new format for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with teams of three athletes allowed per nation.

This means no score is being dropped.

It is the second event of the Nations Cup series to use to new format, with the event in Strzegom in Poland having previously done so last month.

Following the conclusion of action in Millstreet, two further Nations Cup eventing competitions will be held.

The first will take place in Waregem in Belgium from September 21 to 23, before the series concludes at Boekelo in The Netherlands from October 11 to 14.