Townend headed into the showjumping stage of the competition at the top of the leaderboard, after an impressive performance in yesterday’s cross-country part of the five-star event.

Townend, on board Ballaghmor Class, required a clean round in the showjumping stage to seal victory.

A fault-free round saw Townend finish the competition on 27.3 points, allowing him to add to triumphs in 2018 and 2019.

"I had a plan and just went in and did it," Townend said.

"[Ballaghmor Class] was jumping exceptionally which makes my job very, very easy.

"My biggest concern is, I find it easy to have time penalties with him.

"He’s a big jumper and actually quite slow in the way he does things.

"It’s very easy to get stuck in gear.

"My biggest thing was to have a good strong pace, don’t be caught on time, and just try and get him in the position to clear the fences."

Townend became just the second rider to win three consecutive titles at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, with Germany's Michael Jung having triumphed in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

New Zealand’s Tim and Jonelle Price completed the podium at the Rolex Arena.

Tim Price finished the competition with a score of 28.2 on Xavier Faer, after ending the three-day event without jumping or time penalties.

Jonelle Price placed third on 30.7, after receiving 0.4 time penalties in the showjumping competition.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar triumphed in the four-star competition after a strong performance in the showjumping event to rise from second place.

The American rider achieved a fault-free round to end the competition on 37.9.

Tamie Smith, on board Mai Baum, finished on 40.2 to complete an American one-two.