World Equestrian Games in Aachen: Steve third, Switzerland into the final and closing on the podium

Another clear round aboard Dynamix de Bélhème lifts Steve to third place in the provisional individual standings. Carried by three consecutive clear rounds, the Swiss team has qualified for Friday evening's team final and sits less than one fence off the podium.

The second day of the World Equestrian Games turned in Switzerland's favour. Under pressure after a difficult first leg, Peter van der Waaij's team responded in the best possible way, stringing together three clear rounds.

Steve led the way with a flawless trip, never in the slightest trouble, on a Dynamix de Bélhème at the top of her game. Faults from Julien Epaillard, the leader after the speed competition, and from Harrie Smolders allow the Jura-born rider to move up to third individually, behind Scott Brash (Hello Mango) and Sophie Hinners (Iron Dames Sing Clair).

Dynamix has really been giving me confidence since the start of these championships

says Steve, who felt excellent from the first fence to the last. He expects a considerably more demanding track on Friday evening and points to a further unknown: how the horses will react to the artificial lighting.

In the nations standings, Switzerland lies eighth, but on the same score as Belgium and Italy, joint third. Germany leads ahead of the United States, with barely more than one fence in hand. Ten teams out of thirty-three will contest Friday evening's final, on a 185 x 165 metre arena in front of 45,000 spectators. Two things are at stake: a ticket to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, on offer to the top eight nations, and a world medal Switzerland has been waiting for since 1994.