Boyd Exell claimed his ninth victory in a row at the FEI Driving World Cup event in Geneva today ©FEI

Australia's Boyd Exell won his ninth consecutive title at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Cup Driving event in Geneva in Switzerland today and extended his lead atop of the overall standings.

In a thrilling competition, Exell was put under pressure by Germany's Georg von Stein but nevertheless went on to claim yet another victory in Geneva in a time of 130.04 seconds.

Von Stein finished in second place, while Hungary's József Dobrovitz Jr picked up important World Cup points by finishing in third place.

Dobrovitz Jr was first to go, but he lost precious time as he crossed the finish line in 147.27.

Next in the arena, von Stein put pressure on Boyd by driving a fast and clear round to cross the line in 135.02.

The reigning German champion finished third at the stage in Stuttgart where he competed with a wild card before securing his first World Cup points of this season today.

"I have a very fast team, especially on the long lines I can make up a lot of time," von Stein said.

"I have watched the videos of the first competition and I learnt that my turns in the obstacles cost much time, so I know what I have to work on."

The spectators in the Palexpo Arena held their breath as Exell had one knock down during his final round, but the four-time world champion crossed the finish line 10 seconds faster than von Stein.

József Dobrovitz Sr finished in fourth to maintain his second place in the overall standings ©Getty Images
József Dobrovitz Sr finished in fourth to maintain his second place in the overall standings ©Getty Images

"I have been helping Georg lately to make his team better, so on the one hand I was pleased for him, but on the other hand I really felt the pressure," said Exell.

"At the split time I was four seconds up, but then I had that ball, which was really a driver mistake.

"I turned my wheeler horse too fast into the obstacle. 

"But I made up time in that very same obstacle and in the last part of the course."

Home driver Jérôme Voutaz finished in fourth place on 145.97 ahead of József Dobrovitz Sr who completed the top five with an overall time of 149.80. 

As the World Cup reaches the midway point, Exell extends his lead at the top of standings to 11 points.

The 44-year-old has accumulated 27 points while his nearest rival, Dobrovitz Sr, lies in second on 16.

Completing the top three is Dobrovitz Jr on 13.

The next leg of the World Cup is set to take place in London in England between December 16 and 17.