Germany heads FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain

After two rounds, a jump-off was required to separate France, Germany and the USA, whose teams all finished on 20 faults apiece. Beezie Madden (USA) went first with 4 faults, before Kevin Staut (FRA) went clear in a time of 45.98. Last to go Marcus Ehning clocked up a clear in 44.99, securing victory for the German side.

While not matching their epic 2010 win in this class, the British team of Guy Williams, Peter Charles, Robert Smith and Michael Whitaker still finished a very creditable fourth with 24 faults. Belgium was fifth on 28 faults, Ireland and the Netherlands joint sixth on 44 faults while Denmark was last with 69 faults.

FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, presented the Prince of Wales trophy to the winning team of Marcus Ehning, Phillipp Weishaupt, Holger Wulschner and Janne-Friederike Meyer.

"We had some top-class sport, and Hickstead is such a special place," said Princess Haya afterwards. "It is an incredible venue, with such an amazing history. The Bunn Family are just so good at what they do and they add so much value to the equestrian community around the world. As a team event, the FEI Nations Cup™ really is one of the jewels in the crown of the FEI, and watching it today was fantastic."

Today's competition puts the German team in second place in the overall standings behind the Netherlands, with two more stages to go. Britain are now fourth overall behind Ireland in third.

In today's first class in the International Arena, The Old Lodge Young Breeding Horse Championship, the spoils went to Shane Breen - who won on Balloon and also picked up third and four place with other rides. Later this morning, leading lady rider Laura Renwick was the winner of The Bunn Leisure International Stakes, riding Roller Coaster III. She says: "It's always tough out there at Hickstead, but my horse just revels in it. He's very adaptable and he covers the ground which is one of his strengths. The ground is fantastic out there, the horses feel like they are bouncing off of it.

There was plenty of action aside from the showjumping at the Longines Royal International Horse Show, with the Garrick Surface Coatings Ltd Supreme Riding Horse Championship going to Comberton Clancey and Jayne Webber. Jayne is the reigning British Horse Society Supreme Horse championship holder, so she's one to watch in this Sunday's grand finale.

"We have only had him since the beginning of this year, but every time out he learns a bit more. This is by far the biggest test he's had so far and he was an absolute superstar," she said.

The supreme working hunter championship went to Jo Callwood and Thor, while reserve was Louise Bell and Get Smart. In the Sandra Wood BSPS Heritage mountain and moorland Supreme Ridden, the tricolour went to Miss C Dawson's Dales pony Kilmannan Kilty, ridden by Aimee Hoare.