Germany, fielding their Olympic show-jumping team, won their third successive Aachen Nations Cup last night after holding off a late challenge from Holland. An excellent performance from Tim Stockdale on Fresh Direct Corlato, who collected no jumping faults over the two rounds, enabled Great Britain to finish equal third with the United States.

Germany had underlined their strength from the start when only one of their four riders, Marco Kutscher on Montender, incurred jumping faults in the opening round. At the halfway stage they led with two penalty points - both Ludger Beerbaum, on All Inclusive, and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, his sister-in-law, on Shutterfly, her European champion, having incurred one time fault. Britain, after poor shows from Nick Skelton on Arko III and Peter Charles on Murkas Rubert R, were lying fifth.

In the second round Germany, cheered on by a crowd of 50,000 at the huge arena, forged ahead after a second clear round from Beerbaum. Their victory was secured without needing to use their fourth rider.

Britain rallied with a faultless performance from Skelton and one time fault from Stockdale, but a mistake at the water by John Whitaker and Peppermill kept them behind the Dutch.

For Stockdale, 44, Corlato’s outstanding performance completes his build-up to the Olympic event in Hong Kong. “I had always planned to bring her here so she could be tested under floodlights as we’ll be jumping under lights in Hong Kong,” he said. “This is her third Superleague Nations Cup this season and she’s done everything that’s been asked of her.”

Eventing gets under way today with the dressage. The Britain team, led by Georgie Davies, the Olympic reserve rider, and Fachoudette, face a Germany squad at full Olympic strength.

Explore More Sport

• Athletics

• Boxing

• Cycling

• Sailing

• US Sport