Equestrian: Jos Lansink became the first ever Belgian to win showjumping's individual world crown when he produced the only clear in a three-way jump-off for the gold at the world equestrian games in Aachen, Germany, yesterday afternoon.

Born in Holland, but now riding for Belgium, 45-year-old Lansink was the only male to get through to yesterday's decider when, in an unprecedented finale, three women earned their places in the change-horse final.

American Beezie Madden was amongst the trio, having led from the outset with the brilliant gelding Authentic and the 2005 World Cup winner Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum was also a not unexpected face. But Australian Edwina Alexander was something of a surprise, having vaulted up from 21st on Saturday morning to claim her slot in yesterday's showdown.

Unfortunately Ireland's Marie Burke slid out of the reckoning when Chippison hit five rails and went in the water to drop from overnight 10th to 24th after the first of Saturday's two rounds.

The Co Clare combination could have jumped again in the hope of improving their final placing, but Burke and team manager Robert Splaine made the decision not to ask any more of the home-bred stallion.

"We got a little deep to the third fence, hit that and it threw us off our stride and we landed in the water," Burke said after Saturday's competition.

In the first jump-off at a world championships since Eddie Macken lost out to Germany's Hartwig Steenken in Hickstead 28 years ago, Belgian Jos Lansink took gold - and €26,400 in prizemoney - leaving Beezie Madden with silver and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum in bronze.

Two national champions were also crowned yesterday, with the showjumping title going to Co Monaghan rider Clement McMahon after three days of competition in Co Wexford and Laragh Hamilton of Co Antrim claiming the Mercedes Benz national dressage title in Cavan.