Exell won all three phases of the combined competition to finish top of a 56-driver field at the Prinsenhoeve Estate and duly claim a fourth world title.

Dutch drivers IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde finished second and third respectively.

The hosts claimed team gold for the fifth successive time.

Exell, who was using 16-year old gelding Rambo in the wheel instead of his better moving mare Daphne, scored a leading 33.15 points in the opening dressage test.

He then proved similarly dominant in a gruelling marathon test to mean he only had to avoid catastrophe to triumph overall after the concluding cones section.

He duly did that and more, posting the highest score again, to finish on a total of 158.40.

Chardon placed second with 183.13 while De Ronde managed 185.26 for bronze.

The Dutch scored 365.09 in the team competition.

Hungary placed second with 390.22 as Germany posted 394.79 for bronze.

After winning the dressage and the marathon, Exell also won the obstacle competition, which is unique at a World Championship.