Rio 2016 champion Charlotte Dujardin of Britain was left to settle for bronze here tonight.

Olympic debutant Von Bredow-Werndl produced an impressive test on TSF Dalera.

They scored very highly for artistic impression and a total score of 91.732 catapulted her into the lead.

"From the very first second to the very last second, she was 100 per cent with me," Von Bredow-Werndl said.

"She was incredible tonight."

Even so, there were four riders still to compete - three of them Olympic champions including seven-time gold medallist Werth.

"I was so nervous when Isabell rode because I saw her performance and it was just amazing," admitted Von Bredow-Wendl.

"I did not see my performance so I could not say if it is more or less.

"When I heard her results I just had to cry, because it was the moment I realised that it could happen tonight to become an Olympic champion.

"This was very emotional and I had to cry in front of all the journalists standing there.

"I just realised how much I wanted it.

"I was crying because of the relief that I really made it, that I really performed, that I didn't make any mistakes, and I performed to become an Olympic champion."

Dujardin finally relinquished the gold medal she had held since 2012.

Both her Olympic titles had been achieved with the famous horse Valegro who retired after 2016.

She scored 88.543 riding her new horse Gio, affectionately known as Pumpkin, finishing a little more than a percentage point behind runner-up Werth on 89.657.

"This is an incredible moment, I was not going down without a fight," Dujardin said.

"Pumpkin has only done one other freestyle in his life.

"So, for for to him to go out 10 years old with as little experience as he has there, is truly outstanding.

"This is just an incredible moment."

Von Bredow-Werndl and Werth had both won team dressage gold for Germany a day earlier, when Dujardin again won bronze as a member of the British team.