The U.S. team came into the cross-country portion of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in good spirits with high expectations. Although they’d drawn first in the order, it seemed like that might even be an advantage given that everyone expected the water-logged footing to deteriorate over the day.

Wild Lone, a horse ridden by Great Britain’s Harry Meade, collapsed and died at the conclusion of his cross-country course today at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. A post mortem will be performed on the horse to establish a cause of death.

Sandra Auffarth leads the Germans to the top of the leaderboard, but Team USA is still in the hunt heading into cross-country day.

If there was one refrain repeated in every interview today, it was, “This isn’t going to be a dressage competition.”