Germany's Ingrid Klimke, riding Horseware Hale Bob, shares the lead after dressage in Pau on 39.3 penalties with Britain's William Fox-Pitt and the New Zealand thoroughbred Parklane Hawk.
This four-star event is the last major in the calendar year but the first leg in the 2014/2015 FEI Classic series which Fox-Pitt won last season having landed the round here on Seacookie TSF (which is currently lying fifth) and the American one in Kentucky on the Irish-bred Bay My Hero.
In third place at present, on 40.7, is the first day leader, Germany's Andreas Dibowski on FRH Butts Avedon followed by Britain's Nicola Wilson and the Irish-bred gelding One Two Many.
Of the three Irish riders competing at the French event, Co Down-based Joseph Murphy is best-placed. He lies 10th with the Cruising chesnut Electric Cruise (46.3) and 20th on the Ricardo Z gelding Sportsfield Othello (53.8).
