World Equestrian Games in Aachen: Steve leads the individual standings ahead of Sunday's final

Opening for the Swiss team in the team final, Steve delivered another clear round with Dynamix de Bélhème. He takes over the lead in the provisional individual standings, level with Daniel Deusser, two days before Sunday's decider.

Friday evening's team final belonged to Germany, crowned world champions in front of 45,000 home spectators with a near-perfect score and a two-fence cushion over the field. 

Sent out first under the rain, Steve did exactly what was asked of him with a third clear round in three days. Dynamix de Bélhème gave everything to get out of the triple combination on a track markedly more demanding than the previous day's. That performance moves the Jura-born rider to the top of the provisional individual standings, level with Daniel Deusser and ahead of Ben Maher.

I hope she keeps helping me on Sunday

said Steve, well aware of the effort his mare put in on this course.

His team-mates were unable to follow suit. Martin Fuchs picked up four faults with Conner Jei at the oxer before the double, Gaëtan Joliat had two down with Chelsea Z on the toughest track of his young career, and Jason Smith was caught out by the first fence before adding two time faults with Picobello van't Roosakker. On a total of 20.49 points, Switzerland finished sixth, less than two fences off the podium, but secured qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Attention now turns to Sunday's individual final, which Steve will start as the leader.