ACCRINGTON'S Geoff Billington brought smiles to the British show jumping team with a magnificent display on It's Otto in the Atlanta games.

Billington - making his debut - had a huge weight on his shoulders after dismal performances by Michael Whitaker and Nick Skelton. But the 41-year-old stayed cool and confident jumping a clear round, which was only slightly marred by 0.25 time penalty points.

"I knew he could jump it and that made a difference."

The round was a qualifier for Sunday's individual championship with the team event to come on Thursday. Billington and It's Otto will now go into both feeling confident.

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