The sixty riders have been divided into six groups of ten, with the top two qualifying for the Grand Prix final plus the six other best-scoring riders.
The top ten teams also progress.
Hester’s score of 77.345% this morning meant he finished third in his group, but it is thought likely to be good enough to secure a best-scoring rider spot once the opening stages end tomorrow.
GB are the reigning European team champions, but their Olympic hopes suffered a big hit when star rider Charlotte Dujardin pulled out after a video emerged of her whipping a horse repeatedly and she was provisionally suspended by equestrian’s governing body.
Group A Result:
1 Nanna Skodborg Merrald DEN (Zepter) 78.028% Q
2 Dinja van Liere (Hermes) NED 77.764% Q
3 Carl Hester (Fame) GBR 77.345%
4 Corentin Pottier FRA (Gotilas du Feuillard 70.683%
5 Joao Victor Marcari Oliva BRA (Feel Good VO) 70.093%
6 Justina Vanagaite LTU (Nabab) 69.208%
7 Jayden Brown AUS (Quincy B) 68.991%
8 Naima Moreira CAN Laliberte (Statesman) 68.711%
9 Stefan Lehfellner AUT (Roberto Carlos MT) 68.183%
10 Caroline Chew SGP (Zatchmo) 63.351%
Pictured top: The Olympic rings in the Louvre. Picture by Thea Stark.