This was Nassar’s second victory on Lordan in Thermal in the United States, having won a World Cup qualifier there two years ago.

This time around, Nassar and 14-year-old Lordan recorded a time of 78.86sec with no faults to qualify for the jump-off.

Egyptian Nassar, born in Chicago, then recorded a time of 39.02, again with no faults, to secure the World Cup title in the jump-off.

"He [Lordan] is such a trier," said Nassar.

"We know each other so well at this point, and we have a good partnership to get us through all the little intricacies in the courses."

Nassar admitted that Lordan’s naturally shorter stride probably played to his advantage in the jump-off as he maintained a forward pace from the start.

"The first line was a lot more forward for me than anyone else," he said.

"So, I was already faster there, and probably on the turn back to the last line.

"I took a pretty big risk there.

"I jumped the double right to left and I could see all the tracks [from the other horses].

"I was way inside there, and I just found the first shot out of the corner.”

The other five riders in the jump-off were all from the United States with Elizabeth Madden, riding 12-year-old Breitling LS, claiming the silver medal in 39.92 whilst Mandy Porter, on 13-year-old Milano, completed the podium lineup thanks to a time of 40.56.

The final FEI World Cup jumping North American League event is due to take place at Live Oak Plantation in Ocala on March 18.