Both leaders finished with 29.0 penalty points.

Of the next eight riders in the standings, five are German and three Belgian.

Home rider Karin Donckers, on Nameera. finished third at the Internationale Military Waregem on 29.3, with three leading German talents behind her.

Sandra Auffarth, on Rosveel, Ingrid Klimke on Scrabble 15, and Sophie Leube on Sweetwaters Ziethen scored 29.6,  29.8 and 30.0, respectively.

Virginie Caulier of Belgium was seventh on Hobama de la Baille Rouge, totalling 30.4, ahead of Germany's Andreas Ostholt, who scored 30.5 on Chilli Supreme, and Kai-Steffen Meier, with 30.6 on Charming Ciaco.

Donckers also placed 10th riding Nerium, with whom she scored 31.0.

Attention turns to the jumping discipline tomorrow, and winners will be determined after the cross-country stage of the event on Sunday.

France won last month's team competition on home soil at Haras du Pin.

A second-place finish saw Italy move into the overall lead of the Nations Cup series, after five of seven competitions – Italy lead on 380 points, with Sweden following on 345.

The Netherlands also remain in the hunt for the overall title on 300 points.

The battle for the overall title should become clearer after the three days of competition in Belgium, with the series concluding next month in Boekelo, The Netherlands, from October 10 to 13.

The event will see the awarding of the final Tokyo 2020 Olympic berth.

Switzerland, The Netherlands and Belgium will battle for the place.

Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Italy, Poland, United States, Brazil, China, Thailand and hosts Japan have already qualified for next year's Olympics.