That's a no from me! Casper AJ and Shk. Ali Jmal Nasr Al Nuami ended their championship here; at the wall at fence seven.

Switzerland's Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van't Naastveldhof came back stronger on Thursday, only having an unfortunate pole down at the liverpool vertical at fence nine.

Uzbekistan's Nurjon Tuyakbaev and the lovely Lancelotta jumped another strong round.

Germany's Gerrit Nieberg and Blues d'Aveline were another pair that improved massively on Thursday, only having the back pole down at the penultimate fence.

Australia's Samuel Overton and Oak's Cassanova were eliminated at the wall at fence three after two stops.

Ailish Cunniffe and Vivaldi du Theil gathered some invaluable experience in Omaha.

Thursday's first clear round came from Julien Epaillard, current world number two, and his homebred Donatello d'Auge.

Nicholas Dello Joio and Cornet's Cambridge – a son of Balou du Reventon, that himself is competing in the final – were unlucky on Thursday and had the black plank at fence number 13 down.

Let's do this: Victoria Gulliksen gave Papa Roach a kiss before starting, and the two ended up delivering one of the most harmonious rounds of the night.

"It is a privilege to ride a horse like him," Harry Charles said about his phenomenal Balou du Reventon after the two placed second on Thursday.

Germany's Marcus Ehning – who is riding his 20th World Cup Final – had an unlucky fence down with Priam du Roset and now sits 23rd in the overall standings ahead of Saturday's final rounds.

Daniel Bluman and Ladriano Z were another unlucky pair, picking up four faults on 12a.

However, the unluckiest of them all were probably Jur Vrieling and Long John Silver 3 N.O.P., who jumped super all the way until the penultimate fence...

...only to stumble in the corner as they landed and turned towards the final fence. Luckily, both horse and rider seemed ok as they left the arena on foot.

Saudi Arabia's Abdulrahman Alrajhi and Babalou HD jumped a steady round with two fences down.

After two days of jumping, Switzerland's title defender Martin Fuchs sits 15th in the overall ranking with Leone Jei.

Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue were one of two US combinations in the jump-off and placed 8th in the end.

Mclain Ward and Callas picked up an uncharacteristic 13 faults on Thursday.

Flying the Canadian flag: Erynn Ballard and Gakhir.

Like so many others, Germany's Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi van'T Ruytershof picked up four faults on the oxer with a water tray underneath it at fence number ten.

Yuri Mansur and Vitiki are showing amazing form in Omaha and jumped another great round to finish 6th on Thursday. The Brazilian rider now sits 5th on the standings going into Saturday's deciding rounds.

This oxer at fence number ten caught out many, including Harrie Smolders and the ever so consistent Monaco N.O.P. However, despite the fault, Smolders was able to hold on to his 7th place on the overnight standings.

So much love for Pepita Con Spita. Hunter Holloway and her grey mare have been the crowd favorites in Omaha and were cheered on every step of the way on Thursday. Tied with Yuri Mansur, Holloway now sits 5th on the standings going into Saturday's deciding rounds.

Pius Schwizer and Vancouver de Lanlore placed fourth on Thursday, and ahead of Saturday's final rounds, the Swiss rider now shares the lead on the standings with Andreas Schou.

Where it all went wrong... Within Wednesday’s top three, there were surprises on Thursday. Daniel Deusser and Scuderia 1981 Tobago – third after round one – made an unexpected exit in the triple combination. After a huge effort over the b-element...

...the two strides to the c-element just were too far, and Deusser sensibly decided to pull out and retire.

After Deusser, it was Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson – second after round one – that also ran into trouble at the triple combination, after already picking up a fault at the oxer at fence six.

Even the overnight leader, Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward picked up four faults, but the Swede's quick reaction with upping the pace paid off as he ended up placing 10th as the fastest four-faulter – and now sits third in the overall ranking, only one penalty point behind Schou and Schwizer.

Luis Sabino Gonçalves, Hunter Holloway, Pius Schwizer, Thomas Fuchs and Andreas Schou going through the jump-off.

Getting closer to the trophy... After Thursday, Harry Charles and Balou du Reventon sit 7th on the standings with five penalties.

United Touch S has a canter from another planet and Richard Vogel knows how to make the best of it.

A happy Team Vogel...

...and Team Holloway.

"I think I have to say yes to feeling surprised on being in the lead, but when you see his record all the indoor season, he jumped six World Cups, he is such a consistent and clever horse, so on the other hand no – he actually deserves to be on top because he is absolutely one of the best," Andreas Schou said after taking the overall lead.

Pius Schwizer is one of the most experienced riders in Omaha and his partnership with Vancouver de Lanlore is getting better and better. Ahead of Saturday's final, the Swiss 61-year-old shares the lead with Schou.

Swiss team spirit.

Ann Thompson and her phenomenal Balou de Reventon.

A hug for United Touch S from Felicia Wallin...

...and a kiss for Papa Roach from Alva Persson.

The winning team: United Touch S, Felicia Wallin and Richard Vogel.

United Touch S had some difficulties standing still during the prize giving and did his best to redecorate the arena instead.

The lucky charm? Congratulations Team Vogel!