TINA GIFFORD, a member of Britain's gold medal winning team at both the 1994 world championships and last year's Europeans, holds a slim lead after the first day of dressage at the Balens international three day event in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.

Gifford, a daughter of top National Hunt trainer Josh Gifford, missed out on her Olympic debut in Atlanta when both her shortlisted horses were sidelined with injury. But she scored an impressive double at Gatcombe last month and has now set herself up as the main contender for the Balcas honours with the seven year old Irish export Mr Macauley. She also competes this morning on O'Leary, another seven year old bought out of Ireland.

The British were dominant in yesterday's dressage, in less than clement weather conditions, with Sarah Cotton and the embryo transplant mare Miss Megan second and Charlotte Bathe fourth with Round Wood. But Sasha Harrison, a member of Ireland's gold medal team at last year's European young rider championships, managed to break through the British ranks and is currently lying third with the French gelding All Love Du Fenaud.

Joanne Jarden from Crumlin heads the national placings with the seven year old Georgia, while Louisa Clarke is lying fourth with Razzle Dazzle, only fractionally adrift of Trevor Smith and Daintymount.