Fuchs, 27, overtook Guerdat thanks to a string of victories towards the end of 2019, including a Grand Prix triumph on home turf in Geneva and, a week later, a win at the Longines International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Jumping World Cup at London Olympia - 29 years after his father Thomas had won at the same venue.

He leads the rankings on 3,483 points, with Guerdat on 3,377, Germany’s Daniel Deusser on 3,057 and Britain’s Ben Maher fourth on 3,008.

"It’s fantastic, really great, but I must say that my biggest success as number one doesn’t reflect just one show or one event,” Fuchs said.

"It’s a combination of everything.

"It’s really nice after such a great year in 2019 to start 2020 as the world number one.

"I am so proud and so fortunate at this young age to be able to have such success already and I am looking forward to a great year ahead."

Fuchs’ first major victory was team gold as part of a mixed National Olympic Committee team at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, and he went on to make his senior Olympic debut at Rio 2016 with his grey gelding Clooney 51.

He has achieved podium finishes at the last three major Championships, including individual silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 in Tryon, United States, where he helped the Swiss team to fourth place, earning a team quota place for Tokyo 2020.

Fuchs finished runner-up to Guerdat at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Gothenburg last April and was crowned European champion together with Clooney 51 in Rotterdam in August.

After his Olympia triumph with The Sinner, Fuchs moved up to fourth on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup leaderboard to book his ticket for the 2020 Final in Las Vegas in April.