Hoy looked at ease throughout the event, the first of the prestigious three-day competition in Stamford in England, on her way to recording a score of 34.5 penalties.

Australia’s Bill Levett, riding Improvise, was also able to produce a solid performance but was eight adrift of the lead on the standings having scored 42.5.

Paul Sims of Britain, making his third Burghley Horse Trials appearance, was third on Glengarnock with a total of 46.6.

The 31-year-old had led the field after the first session of dressage but was eventually overtaken by two of the riders, who took to the course in the afternoon.

American Elisa Wallace is narrowly outside of the top three having ended the day in fourth on 46.8, a slender 0.2 adrift of Sims.

Hoy, a bronze medallist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and a team event world champion in 2006, will head into tomorrow keen to extend her advantage having rolled back the years with a vintage showing on day one.

“He has had to work hard as he’s not really built for dressage,” the German said.

“But with the help of my trainer, Sebastian Langehanenberg, we’ve developed a warm-up system that helps keep him soft and relaxed.

“Every time I feel him becoming a little tense I go into rising trot and that settles him.

“I have also changed bits from a snaffle to a double bridle; not because he needs a double, but because he is happier and seems more relaxed with two bits in his mouth.”

Levett was also pleased with how he got on today and hopes he can continue the form shown so far to banish the memories of missing out on selection for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“It’s been a year of ‘nearlys’ for this horse – we so nearly went well at Badminton, then we nearly had a top placing at Luhmuhlen [where they incurred one run-out], then we just missed out on going to Rio [they were reserves] - so the focus has turned to Burghley,” Levett said.

“Having finished sixth here two years ago I know the course suits him and that he is capable of a good result.”

The event continues tomorrow with the second round of dressage.