Megan Jones, an unknown Australian stud manager, swept into the dressage lead at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on Thursday.

Jones, who sold five horses to fund her trip to Badminton, headed an Australian 1-2-3 after a fine performance on 17.2-hands tall Kirby Park Irish Hallmark.

Jones raised over £8,000 to pay for her and her horse's journey in the hope of qualifying for the Australian Olympic team - but could not afford a return ticket.

"I'm stoked," said the 27-year-old from Hahndorf near Adelaide. "It's always been my dream to compete at Badminton."

Apart from horse sales and quiz evenings, Jones' fundraising also involved her secret passion, bellydancing, a hobby she would love to pursue more if she had the time.

"As it is I ride all day and teach all night," she said.

Jones, co-owner of the stud with her Yorkshire-born parents, bought her mount "Paddy", the grandson of an Irish mare, as a four-year-old.

The partnership executed a fluent dressage test to lead from compatriot Matt Ryan, the quadruple Olympic gold medallist, on Bonza Puzzle.

Swindon-based Paul Tapner was third on Highpoint and Pippa Funnell fourth on Sue Bunn's stallion Viceroy II.