Germany clinched the team dressage gold medal in Athens on Saturday, their sixth successive Olympic title, thanks to a superb effort by top rider Ulla Salzgeber.
Germany were so far in front after Salzgeber made their final ride that they could no longer be caught by any team still with riders to perform. Spain lay second and the Netherlands and United States were in a battle for third with seven riders left.
Final results were expected about 1 pm (1000 GMT).
The Germans have taken every team dressage gold medal since West Germany won at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. They boycotted the 1980 Games in Moscow and since 1956 have only lost the team gold in 1972, taking silver in Munich behind the Soviet Union.
Germany also won team gold in 1928 and 1936, with silver in 1956 and bronze in 1952.