Townend took over the lead at the famous three day eventing competition yesterday and held onto it following today's showjumping round.

Riding Ballaghmor Class at Burghley House in English county Lincolnshire, Townend knocked down one fence during his run.

It was not enough to deny him the title as his time faults brought his winning score up to 45.6 penalties.

"It's very special," Townend, who also won at Burghley in 2009, the 35-year-old said to Horse and Hound.

"I've had him from the word go and he's a top class horse."

Townend is the first British winner of the competition since William Fox-Pitt in 2011.

The host nation's dominance saw Piggy French, riding Vanir Kamira, rise from fifth place overnight to second after a clear round.

She finished on 46.9 penalties.

Gemma Tattersall dropped a place from third to second after incurring four penalty points, finishing on 47.0.

Britain's top four was completed by Tom Ewen, as he rode Toledo de Kerser on a clear round to finish on 49.1.

Ewen jumped up from seventh place yesterday.

The event was the last International Equestrian Federation Classics competition of the season.

The Series joins together all of the world's major eventing tournaments. 

Germany's Michael Jung, a triple Olympic champion, was confirmed as the overall Classics winner for the second time in a row before the action began in Burghley.

France's Maxime Livio, the only man who could have caught him at the top of the standings, withdrew prior to the event.

Jung retired with La Biosthetique Sam yesterday after running out during the cross-country phase.