Holmén had to do it the hard way as she emerged victorious from a 14-rider jump-off on board Flip’s Little Sparrow to finish at the summit of the podium at the Hallenstadion.

The 27-year-old produced a superb display as she ended the competition with a time of 38.79sec.

Pius Schwizer of Switzerland, riding About a Dream, delighted the home crowd inside the venue as he finished the jump-off in 39.90.

French rider Kevin Staut and horse Silver Deux de Virton rounded off the podium having clocked 40.72.

But the day belonged to the Swedish sensation who could be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.

"At first I thought for sure they are going to beat me and the longer it went on it was harder and harder, this was the worst part of my day," Holmén said.

"With only two riders left I was so happy to be in the top three, and when there was only the last rider who I know is really fast I was thinking how so many times at home in Sweden I have been in the lead and the last rider has been faster. 

"This is just too good to be true."

At the North American League event, held in Guadalajara, Luis Alejandro Plascencia O led a podium sweep for the host nation.

Plascencia guided Da Vinci to victory in 40.66 as Gustavo Ramos and his longtime partner Izzy Miaki finished as runners-up.

Defending champions Francisco Pasquel and horse Naranjo were third.