Gunilla Byström, Märit Olofsson Nääs, Lena Wiman and Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén combined to take victory as the Equestrian Centre Aino hosted the first-ever four star CDIO competition in the Finnish town.

Home favourites Henri Ruoste, Ville Vaurio, Elisabet Ehrnrooth and Nina Dunder finished second, while Estonia’s Dina Ellermann, Getter Kangur and Tiina Kuusmann came third.

Ruoste had the best individual score with 142.393 points, but it was not enough to propel Finland into the winning position with the Swedish team occupying the second, fourth, fifth and seventh spots on the leaderboard and first place in the team standings.

"It has been a super competition here in Aino," Vilhelmson Silfvén said.

"The facilities are great for the horses, riders and audience. 

"We couldn't have dreamt of it being this good."

Byström ranked second individually with 138.114 points, while Japan’s Hiroyuki Kitahara was the bronze medallist with 135.957.

The event was the fifth of eight in the 2019 FEI Dressage Nations Cup series.

Sweden lead the overall standings with a total of 31 points. 

Great Britain are second with 28 points, one more than third-placed United States have.

Having won the series in both 2017 and 2018, Sweden are looking like strong contenders to secure the title with only three legs to go.

They are  due host the next event, scheduled to take place in Falsterbo from Thursday (July 11) to Sunday (July 14).