The reigning competition, which took place indoors at the TIEC Arena in Tryon in North Carolina, was won by Fonck riding What A Wave, who scored a perfect execution pattern.

The Belgian rider, who has now won close to $1.8 million (£1.4 million/€1.5 million) in reining competition, scored 227 points to top the podium.

It marks the first time that a European rider has taken reining gold at the Games.

"What A Wave is the sweetest horse I have ever had the pleasure of riding," Fonck said afterwards.

"I am very fortunate to have had more than one 'once in a lifetime' horse, and he is at the top of this list.

"When I came here I knew that we could probably make it to the top five positions, but I would have never imagined that we would claim the gold."

Dan Huss from the United States won the silver with a score of 226.5 on his horse Ms Dreamy, which becomes the first mare to win an individual medal in reining at the World Equestrian Games.

A run-off was needed to settle the bronze after both Cade McCutcheon from the US and Joao Felipe Lacerda from Brazil scored 225.

The medal was eventually taken by McCutcheon on home soil, who, atop Custom Made Gun, scored 228 to beat Lacerda's run-off score of 227.

He said afterwards that his horse was “incredibly good”.

"I am thrilled to have represented my country and to have won the team gold and individual bronze medals," McCutcheon said.

Tomorrow was set to feature freestyle dressage as well as team and individual eventing.

However, with the remnants of Hurricane Florence hitting Tryon this evening and set to remain throughout tomorrow, the freestyle dressage competition has now been cancelled, while the eventing has been postponed until Monday (September 17). 

With regard to the dressage, Tryon 2018 Organising Committee President Michael Stone said they tried everything to avoid a cancellation.

"This was not an easy decision, but we have explored every option, including trying to reschedule the horse departures, and even looking at moving the competition into the indoor with a change of footing, but the logistics of making all this happen are just not possible," he said.

"We know this is desperately disappointing for the 15 athletes who had qualified their horses for the freestyle, and of course for all the spectators who had bought tickets, but the weather has simply left us with no choice."

The decision does not affect the Olympic qualification process, as this was completed on Thursday (September 13).

Germany, the United States, Great Britain, Sweden, The Netherlands and Spain have all qualified.