Edge ahead in Burghley dressage

Edge will look to build on her lead in the cross-country on Saturday

Ruth Edge held the lead after the dressage at the Burghley Horse Trials as she bounced back from missing out on a place at the Olympic Games.

The talented Cumbrian rider missed the equestrian event in Hong Kong after her horse Two Thyme was injured.

Riding Mr Dumbledore at Burghley, she heads to Saturday's cross-country stage with a 5.4 penalty advantage over Lucy Wiegersma on Shaabrak.

William Fox-Pitt, seeking a record fifth win, is third on Tamarillo.

Belgium's Karin Donckers on Rose's Merlin, Mary King with Imperial Cavalier and Australian Andrew Hoy on Moonfleet complete a tight group for the top six places.

Edge, 28, teamed up with the Australian-bred Mr Dumbledore a year ago and said: "I jumped at the chance when the owner offered him to me."

The 12-year-old was originally imported by Fox-Pitt, who bought him after watching a video, before being sold as he is on the small side for the 6ft 4in Fox-Pitt.

"I was financially better off not going to Hong Kong," added Edge, who took the British Open at Gatcombe on Mayhem after her colleagues had left for the Games.

"But nothing makes up for missing a medal."

Organisers have taken out the 10th fence, a drop hedge before the water, on the cross-country course, as a safety precaution in wet conditions.