Fox-Pitt had topped the leaderboard for a year before he was dethroned by Germany’s Michael Jung, the first eventer to hold the world, Olympic and European titles in 2012.

The Briton has regained his place at the head of the standings thanks to a superb performance in May on board Chilli Mountain, where he ended a six-year wait for British success.

He now has a 15-point advantage over his German counterpart on 591 points, while American Martin Boyd is third on 487, just one ahead of Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand.

“I have got an amazing horse, and you feel you just don’t want to waste it,” Fox-Pitt said following his victory.

“I was a little lucky, so I am sorry I made everyone very, very tense watching that!

“It’s such a relief for the team.

“Hearts were broken at the World Equestrian Games, and this feels great today.”

The revised top 10 also features four of the world’s most successful female eventers as New Zealand’s Jonelle Price has a 50-point lead over Ingrid Klimke of Germany, who won team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Karin Donckers of Belgium has dropped one place from seventh to eighth, while Britain’s Olympic team silver medallist Nicola Wilson has enjoyed a meteoric rise from 18th.

Fox-Pitt is one of the world’s most well-known eventers but he has endured a difficult two-year period, claiming bronze at both the European Championships and last year’s World Equestrian Games.

But the duo finally came together at the Badminton Horse Trials to ensure he would return to his position on top of the world rankings, which will give him confidence ahead of this year’s Longines FEI European Eventing Championships, scheduled from September 10 to 13 at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

The full rankings can be viewed here.