Australian Tom McDermott's team has had the best performance of the day in the first round of the mixed jumping team event.

The team finished with a combined total of just four penalties.

McDermott delivered an excellent ride with no penalties in a time of 93.59 seconds.

"I am really happy how it went," he said

"I rode how I rode in the practice run. And I kept my leg on to keep it together."

McDermott was happy with the quality of horses and to be teamed with riders from Hong Kong, New Zealand, China and Oman.

"We have really good horses in the team and really good riders," he said.

"Jake from New Zealand did an excellent job."

McDermott was also pleased with the venue and the course.

"The venue is amazing and the surface is excellent," he said.

"The course is a decent size. Its a good course and the time is not so tight today."

The event is a new concept and the continental team is made up of five riders each representing a different country with the best three scores counting.

 It was a geographical learning experience for McDermott.

"Before this event I had never even heard of Oman."

Team Australia now goes into the second and final round of the mixed team jumping event on Friday as the favourite.

Frances Cordaro
AOC