Heiland, on board Dark Beluga, topped the podium with a score of 8.528 points at the Vlaanderen’s Kerstjumping Mechelen.

His team-mate Jannis Drewell, riding Diabolous 325 did enough for second place, achieving a total of 8.381 points.

Third went to Clement Taillez of France as he recorded 8.301 on board Dyronn.

“I was very pleased with my Freestyle today,” Heiland said.

“I could use Dark Beluga, the horse of longer Barbara Rosiny.

“I was very happy that I received the horse for this competition.

“At home I trained a few times on him but I never used him in competition.”

The German success continued in the women’s event as Kristina Boe and Dark Beluga emerged victorious with an average score of 8.598 across the two rounds of vaulting action in the Belgian city.

Silvia Stopazzini of Italy was forced to settle for the silver medal as she claimed 8.414 points on board Hot Date Tek.

Corinna Knauf, riding Fabiola, added to the German haul, rounding out the podium with third thanks to a total of 8.145.

“For me it was also the first time that I used Dark Beluga,” Boe said.

“It went super and I’m very happy with this victory.

“The World Cup Vaulting is very important, it gives us the opportunity to show our sport to a big audience.”

The Pas de Deux event proved to be somewhat of a disappointment as there were only two entrants, with Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini taking victory on Rosenstolz 99.

The pair recorded 8.768 points to comfortably secure the win in front of their only challengers, Timo Gerdes and Jolina Ossenberg-Engels of Germany, who managed 7.064.

The World Cup competition in Mechelen concludes tomorrow.