Germany won the first Olympic Eventing Team gold medal in the three-day eventing at the Shatin Equestrian Venue on Tuesday night after a tight fight with Australia and Great Britain.

Germany finished on 166.10 penalty points ahead of Australia on 171.20 points. Britain secured third place on 185.70 points.

Sweden placed fourth on 230.50 points while New Zealand ranked fifth on 240.90 points.

Three-day eventing combines the dressage, cross-country and jumps.

At Olympic Games (1912-2004), German dressage, show jumping and eventing riders won 76 medals - 35 gold, 19 silver and 23 bronze medals.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2008)