German gold hat-trick

The German show jumpers extended their country's domination of the Olympic equestrian competition when they took an uncatchable lead with one round left.

Three German riders were on a combined total of 16 penalty points after the first three rounds -- even before their top rider Ludger Beerbaum mounted his horse.

Beerbaum could lower that total even further with a clear round. The top three scores from each four-member team are combined for the team score.

Switzerland were in second place at the start of the final round of 10 riders -- one from each team -- with 26 penalty points and the Netherlands were in third with 28.