Both European countries finished with zero penalties in the Spanish city after all four horse-and-rider combinations had been, meaning both had to nominate one pair to settle the tie.

Britain opted for Rio 2016 individual jumping champion Nick Skelton, with the 58-year-old again going clear on Big Star in a time of 41.57sec.

Skelton had to win a six-way jump off to win his Olympic gold at Rio 2016 on the same horse, but he was to be second best this time as Germany's Marcus Ehning also went clear on Pret a Tout in a quicker time of 39.80.

It meant gold for the German team which also featured Christian Ahlmann, Janne Friederike Meyer and Ludger Beerbaum.

For Beerbaum, it was an emotion finale to his career with the 53-year old team jumping Olympic champion from Seoul 1988 competing in his last team competition.

Skelton was joined by Michael Whitaker, Jessica Mendoza and Scott Brash in the British silver medal winning team as the United States took bronze.

The Americans finished with four faults, while defending champions Belgium had to settle for seventh this time.

Elsewhere, it has been announced that the FEI Longines Challenge Cup, for teams placed ninth to 18th, has been re-scheduled for tomorrow after heavy thunderstorms cancelled action yesterday.