Competing on home turf, the German was one of 14 qualifiers for the jump-off and stunned a high class field by producing a faultless display on Carella.

Krieg, ranked as the world number 354, successfully guided his horse around the Frank Rothenberger track and despite several challenging fences emerged with a clear round and a fastest time of 38.04 sec.

Having been the third rider to go, Krieg was forced to watch to see whether the lead would remain intact, with Ireland’s Dennis Lynch going closest to setting a new fastest time in 41.04 sec.

Lynch though would be forced to settle for second position, while The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders was the only other rider to go clear, with a time of 46.85 proving enough for the final podium position.

“I have had Carella since she was two years old and no-one else has ever ridden her so we have a big understanding between us,” said Krieg, who celebrated his 22nd birthday three-days before the event.

“I know I can trust her every time - she is a bit of a diva, but I love her very much.

"This was for sure my biggest success until now, it was my first World Cup competition and additionally to win in your home country is tremendous.”

While it was the ninth Jumping World Cup of the season, the seventh and final driving competition was also held in Leipzig.

The success continued for Australia’s Boyd Exell, the winner of the 2015 Reem Acra Best Athlete, as the undisputed world number one claimed a fifth World Cup win of the season by ending on a total of 211.08 points.

It ensured the reigning overall champion will head to the World Cup Final top of the overall standings, as he pursues a seventh title in Bordeaux.

Switzerland’s Jérôme Voutaz booked a last gasp spot at the event by claiming silver on 231.73, ahead of the bronze medallist Rainer Duen of Germany, who finished on 244.70.

Following his second place finish, Voutaz moved into one of the six qualification spots for the World Cup Final, where he will join Exell and Germany’s Michael Brauchle and Georg Von Stein.

The Netherlands’ Ijsbrand Chardon and Koos De Ronde are also due to appear at the event, which is scheduled to take place from February 6 to 7.