Britain selected a team of younger riders to fly over to the US and the trio is anchored by the experienced Olympic gold medallist Leslie Law, also coach of the United States Eventing Association emerging athletes.

They sit on 99.3 points with the US second on 123 and Canada third with 126.9.

"We are all about promoting our young riders and Leslie obviously has a lot to offer," British Chef d’Equipe Philip Surl said.

"All joking aside, it is great to have Leslie on the team after all he has done for the sport both in his country and now over here."

The individual leader after dressage, Kim Severson of the US, added nothing to her score with a double clear show jumping round aboard Cooley Cross Border, the syndicated 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.  

Severson has decided to withdraw Crossy, however, as the pair are members of the US team competing in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup event in Aachen in Germany later this month.

With Severson’s withdrawal, Ben Hobday is now leading the way for both the British team and the whole competition with a score of 29.7 points.

Sitting in fourth after dressage on 28.3, Hobday jumped a double clear show jumping round with his own and Jane Chambers' Shadow Man, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.

"We were meant to come last year with Mulry’s Error and the preparation didn’t quite go to plan so it is really nice to be asked to come again with Shadow Man," Hobday said.

"I think a lot of him so hopefully we will have a good round tomorrow and we will keep moving forward."

America's Allison Springer is second in the individual standings with a score of 29.8 points, while Canada’s Jessica Phoenix is third with 31.5.

All three of Britain’s other team members sit inside the top-20 with Sophie Brown fifth on 34.4 ponts, Georgie Spence 11th on 35.2 and Law 17th with 37.6.

The cross-country phase is due to take place tomorrow.