Team GB aim to lift cloud over equestrian after Charlotte Dujardin horse-whipping scandal as they lead team evening standings in bid to defend Olympic title for first time since 1972

After a dark week, the promise of a golden day.

A cloud has hovered over British equestrian since the Charlotte Dujardin horse-whipping scandal erupted last Tuesday. But that could lift somewhat today if Team GB defend their Olympic team eventing title for the first time since 1972.

After Sunday’s cross-country round at the Chateau de Versailles, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Ros Canter will go into today’s show jumping finale leading the standings, with a mark of 82.50, narrowly ahead of hosts France on 87.20.

But they would have had an even bigger advantage were not it for a controversial 15-point penalty given to Canter, which Team GB have appealed.

The former world champion was ruled to have not jumped in between the flags marking the boundary of one of the fences.

Dujardin is banned indefinitely and a full investigation will be conducted into the whipping

Laura Collett is leading Team GB’s equestrian charge – she sits second in the individual ranking

Ros Canter was given a controversial 15-point penalty which Team GB are appealing against

Despite the penalty against Canter, Tom McEwen and the rest of Team GB look well placed to secure gold over their French hosts, currently second, in the Chateau de Versailles’ gardens

Canter had an otherwise clear run, but her penalty not only hit Britain’s bid for a team gold, it also saw her drop from fifth to 24th in the individual standings. Officials were still reviewing video footage last night.

‘I did touch a flag coming out of the triple bushes at the end, but I never would have imagined I didn’t jump the jump,’ said Canter. ‘I didn’t think I’d done anything except come back clear inside the time.’

Overall, though, Team GB are still looking good for gold, with Collett also second in the individual standings after suffering only a 0.8 time penalty in the cross-country. McEwen is sixth after a clear run.

‘I usually don’t show too much emotion and it even brought emotion out of me so that’s how well it went,’ he said. ‘It is the most amazing crowd all the way around the course. Every single area is packed with people. The job isn’t done but we know we are a great team.’

Britain’s chances in the team competition were boosted when Germany’s Christoph Wahler was eliminated after a fall, while Australia are also out of contention after Kevin McNab pulled up his horse Don Quidam.