this article was originally published at www.useventing.com.

With cross-country still to come this afternoon, Phillip Dutton and William Penn lead the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3* division at the CHC International at Bouckaert Farm, Fairburn, Georgia. They were the last dressage test of the day yesterday and flew into first with a 42.4. Last night, during show jumping under the lights, Dutton and William Penn jumped a clear round on a tough course with just two time penalties to add to maintain their lead before cross-country. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica moved up from fourth to second after show jumping with a lovely round, posting one of only two double-clears in the division. The atmosphere in the dressage yesterday, with the VIP tent situated just a few paces from the ring, flags flapping in the wind behind the judge's stand at C, and cross-country fences placed just outside of the arena rail had many horses struggling to hold it together. The show jumping also posed a unique challenge, with the ring illuminated from tall lights casting spooky shadows and the movements of unseen spectators outside the rail, not to mention the rain that began to fall at the start of the three-star division. Those riders that attacked every fence had the best rounds. The rain comes and goes sporadically today, and we're looking forward to an exciting finish to the CIC3* this afternoon at the inaugural CHC International.

See full results here.