The German quartet, made up of Stephanie Böhe, Leonie Kuhlmann, Franziska Keinki and Andreas Dibowski, scored a total of 176.7 points to finish ahead of Britain and France.

The three nations will do battle for the FEI Nations Cup Eventing crown when the season concludes in Boekelo in The Netherlands from October 6 to 9.

Britain currently lead the way on 555 points, five in front of Germany, while France remain in contention to snatch the trophy during the final event of the campaign in the Dutch village next month as they have 475.

The Netherlands are in fourth but are 210 behind the French, leaving a straight three-way clash for the overall title.

Böhe was the star performer for the German team in Waregem as she recorded 47.1 penalties on board Haytom in the concluding cross-country discipline, with Kuhlmann and horse Cascora managing 57.8.

The British side, comprised of Izzy Taylor, Laura Collett, Tom Jackson and Jodie Amos, claimed a haul of 186.7 penalties to ensure they will go into the final event in top spot.

They completed the jumping phase of the competition in Waregem in fifth place before they gradually made their way up the leaderboard, coming third after the dressage and ending as the runners-up following the cross-country phase.

France, whose team included Caroline Chadelet, Pascale Boutet, Aurélien Leroy and Sidney Dufresne, made the biggest jump as they were 22nd in the dressage but performed brilliantly in the cross-country, amassing 0.8 penalties to clinch third place.

The French side managed a total of 202.4 during the competition in the Belgian municipality.

Germany’s win followed similar successes at Fontainebleau in France, Houghton Hall in Britain and Vairano in Italy, and they will now head to Boekelo confident of overhauling the five-point cap to the leaders.