Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, Great Britain’s record-breaking defending Olympic champions, produced the top score in the Dressage Grand Prix, held Aug. 11 at the 2016 Olympic Equestrian Venue, in Deodoro, Brazil. But not even the sport’s shining star could halt the steady march of the Germans, who will attempt to claim their 13^th Olympic team title on Aug. 12.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Isabell Werth helped anchor the German total at 81.295 with her test aboard Weihegold. But the British team secured a score of 79.252, just over two percentage points behind, while Team USA is sitting in the bronze medal spot another two points back. 

Only the top six teams from the Grand Prix go through to the Grand Prix Special team medal decider, so Spain, France, Australia, Brazil, and Japan have now slipped out of contention, leaving the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark still in the race. 

Germany was already out in front after two riders from each side competed on Day 1 and looked set to gain an even bigger advantage after Kristina Broring-Sprehe, the current world No. 1 rider, posted a 82.257 score with Desperados