Sir Mark's first performance on NZB Campino scored 30.8 on day one, but he bettered that score on Kiltubrid Rhapsody today.

His total of 26.4 put him in top position.

Earlier in the day Townend, who lead overnight, occupied both first and third spots after his performance on Ballaghmor Class, with whom he won last year’s title.

Townend competes at the Burghley Horse Trials as world number one, but will not be part of the British team heading to the World Equestrian Games next month.

"I have given it everything I can with outstanding results, especially winning in Kentucky on Cooley Master Class and gaining second and fifth-placed finishes at Badminton with Cooley SRS and Ballaghmor Class on the back of winning Burghley," he said.

"It is not to be for me this time."

Just before the lunch break, Germany’s Andreas Dibowski went into third place after a 28.6 performance on with FRS Butts Avedon.

After all the dressage tests, Dibowski slipped to sixth.

Sir Mark, a five-time Burghley Horse Trials winner, then performed the best test of the day to take top spot.

Fellow New Zealander Tim Price secured second position with his 26.9 performance on Ringwood Sky Boy, relegating Townend and MHS King Joules to third.

Sarah Bullimore is fourth with her ride, Reve Du Rouet.

Great Britain’s Harry Meade and Piggy French are eight and ninth respectively and New Zealander Bill Levett completes the top ten.

The cross-country phase of the event will take place tomorrow, with jumping bringing the competition to a close on Sunday (September 2).