Riding 11-year-old gelding Delaunay, Kittel posted a score of 80.560 points and is now well on course to reach the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in French capital Paris next April.

Faurie and Delatio ran him close with the last ride of competition, though, and ended up in the runners-up spot with 80.405 points.

"I take my hat off to the showjumpers," Kittel said.

"I don't know how they do it.

"I've done three shows in a row and now it's 'give me a glass of champagne and get me to bed', because I'm totally exhausted."

Kittel's only other visit to the London venue came in 2004 and saw him finish last.

"I went home in the lorry feeling really bad but my wife, Lyndal, said you have to go back," he said.

"Olympia is an amazing show and you can't leave it another 13 years."

The Netherlands' Edward Gal, riding Glock’s Zonik, completed the top three with a score of 79.340 points.

It was his score that Kittel was chasing when second-last into the ring.

The Swede and Delauney, with which he claimed individual 11th at this year's FEI European Championships on home ground in Gothenburg, produced a flawless performance.

Faurie, a three-time Olympian and European team gold medallist, threw down a powerful challenge and nearly took the victory. 

Kittel leads the FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League standings with 74 points.

Germany’s Dorothee Schneider is second with 55 points, while compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Spaniard Morgan Barbancon Mestre are tied for third on 42.

Dutch capital Amsterdam is due to host the next leg of the series from January 25 to 28, 2018.