The German and the grey gelding had placed 2nd in this class last year, set against the historic backdrop of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The feature finale to wrap 12 weeks of competition at Wellington International was again won by Germany's Christian Kukuk and Checker 47.

The Olympic champions took on a tough international field of 45 over Canadian Peter Grant's course, edging Ben Maher and Nina Mallevaey.

The grand finale of Saturday Night Lights saw the German rider aboard Checker 47 edge two American rivals in his Wellington debut.