Davidson’s Best Keeps U.S. in Team Lead

Bruce Davidson’s champagne performance in the dressage kept the United States in the lead after the second day of the three-day team equestrian event at Conyers, Ga.

Davidson, riding Heyday, turned in his best score ever, adding only 42.6 penalty points to the U.S. total of 123.0. The husband-and-wife team of Karen and David O’Connor had scores of 39.6 and 40.8, respectively, on Sunday.

Davidson, who has two team gold medals and a team silver from previous Olympics, said he planned to collect on a case of champagne promised to him by coach Capt. Mark Phillips if Davidson turned in a good ride.

“You don’t work that hard for nothing,” said Davidson, grinning.

Great Britain was second with 127.80 penalty points and New Zealand third with 135.60 heading into the final day of the competition, the speed and endurance phase.

The fourth member of the U.S. squad, Jill Henneberg, had a score of 57.00 aboard Nirvana II. Only the three lowest of four scores are used to determine standings.