Townend, on board Ballaghmor Class, was sitting in fifth position after the dressage leg before an impressive performance in today's cross-country contest saw him climb to top spot in the five-star competition.

The three-time European champion added 0.8 time penalties to sit on 27.3 points heading into tomorrow’s concluding showjumping stage.

Boyd Martin of the United States is just 0.5 behind Townend on 27.8 after moving from seventh to second with a superb cross-country showing on board On Cue.

Another big mover was Tim Price who climbed from 11th to third to put himself in contention as the New Zealander, riding Xavier Faer, sits on 28.2.

Britain’s Harry Meade, on board Superstition, appeared to be out of the running after the dressage event, lying in 17th position.

But Meade produced an excellent performance in the cross-country stage to move up to fourth on 29.6.

Townend takes up another place in the top eight, although he slipped from third to eighth on board Cooley Masters after incurring 6.4 time penalties.

US rider Marilyn Little, riding RF Scandalous, led the way after two days of action at the Kentucky Horse Park but slumped to 32nd position after suffering 28.4 time penalties.

Compatriot Tamie Smith, on board Mai Baum, also had a difficult day in the cross-country event as she fell from second to 18th.

Smith is faring better with Envogue in the four-star competition as she remains top on 35.0 points after the dressage and cross-country events.

Alyssa Phillips, of the US, is second on 37.9 with Oskar after climbing 13 places, while Canada’s Colleen Loach, on board Vermont, dropped one position to third on 41.8.

Competition is set to conclude tomorrow.