With the dressage in the books, Australia sit sixth. Great Britain are the early leaders, Germany close behind before a large gap to third-placed New Zealand.

The team experienced late drama on Thursday night, with Kevin McNab and horse Don Quidam a last-minute inclusion in place of Stuart Tinney and his mount Leporis, on veterinary advice.

The Sydney 2000 champion remains in the frame to compete in Tokyo as he is now the team's alternate.

Berry's Shane Rose and eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy lined up as planned, with Rose the first to hit the dressage arena on Friday.

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The 48-year-old recorded 31.7 penalty points, before McNab registered 32.10. Hoy then lifted the Australian team up the standings with 29.6 on Saturday morning.

The Sydney 2000 gold medalist sits 13^th in the individual event. Germany's Michael Jung is first with 21.1 penalty points, with Rose 24^th.

McNab was disappointed with his performance and he's eager to bounce back in Sunday's cross-country round.

"It was one of those tests," McNab said. "Unfortunately, I had quite a few mistakes and they were costly. So not one of our best tests, but that's what we've got to go forward with from here.

"I'd like to think that my cross-country on this horse is strong. He's a very good cross-country horse, he's brave, so let's hope so."

Rose will be sixth to start on Sunday and he will be eager to land a flawless run and help his team climb up the standings.

McNab will ride during the middle of the day, while Hoy is one of the last athletes to compete.

Tokyo organisers have produced a tricky cross-country course, and Hoy knows the Australians must be at their best to execute their runs.

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"I think it's a very good course," Hoy said. "The ground is fantastic, fences are beautiful. Like every Olympic Games, the presentation you cannot question.

"It's a proper challenge. And I don't mean just with the height of the fences, but the layout of the course, the flow of the course. There is definitely a flow to the course, but it's going to be a challenge to get the time.

"I'm sitting on one of the great cross-country horses of the world, and we've got a wonderful relationship. I believe it's achievable. Time will tell."

The team competition will conclude with Monday's jumping round before a second jumping run to determine the individual medalists.

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