Rider Tops-Alexander makes blazing start

Edwina Tops-Alexander has produced a brilliant penalty-free ride on Lintea Tequila to advance to the top 20 and deciding stage of the individual showjumping competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre.

Australian Tops-Alexander is well placed for a medal, with her perfect round meaning she will start Friday afternoon's final stage on zero penalties.

At the halfway point of the opening round of 35 riders in Deodoro, five competitors had registered penalty-free efforts.

The news wasn't so good for Australia's Matt Williams who knocked over two fences, giving him eight penalties and he admitted after his run he didn't expect to progress.