Phillips was in fifth place after the dressage on day one in Aachen

The Briton's faultless performance on Toytown saw her jump up from fifth place in the overall standings.

Germany's Bettina Hoy, who led after the dressage, slipped to second on 43.70 points, two behind Phillips.

With 175 points, Britain are second in the team standings in Aachen, behind home favourites Germany on 143 points.

"Bits of it didn't feel very pretty, but he gave me a fantastic ride," said Phillips, the European champion.

"Coming to the first water complex, I took a pull but he didn't answer. I took another pull, he came back too much so I had to kick to make it into the water.

"We missed a stride coming up the step but just managed to scramble through."

Phillips, 24, and Toytown will be crowned champions if they go clear in Sunday's showjumping.

Individual standings:

1. Zara Phillips/Toy Town (GBR) 41.70 pts
2. Bettina Hoy/Ringwood Cockatoo (GER) 43.70
3. Frank Ostholt/Air Jordan 2 (GER) 46.90
4. Clayton Fredericks/Ben Along Time (AUS) 48.80
5. Heelan Tompkins/Glengarrick (NZL) 49.80
6. Magnus G�llerdal/Keymaster 3 (SWE) 49.80
7. Amy Tryon/Poggio (USA) 50.70
8. Hinrich Romeike/Marius Voigt (GER) 52.40
9. Dirk Schrade/Sindy 43 (GER) 55.40
10. Karin Donckers/Gazelle de la Brasserie (BEL) 58.40

Selected others:

11. Sharon Hunt/Tankers Town (GBR) 60.60
13. Oliver Townend/Flint Curtis (GBR) 62.00
15. Daisy Dick/Spring Along (GBR) 64.30
17. William Fix-Pitt/Tamarillo (GBR) 69.0
29. Mary King/Call Again Cavalier (GBR) 81.1

Team standings:

1. Germany 143.00pts
2. Great Britain 175.00
3. USA 190.10
4. Australia 193.30
5. Sweden 198.20
6. New Zealand 207.70
7. France 288.90
8. Ireland 316.80
9. Netherlands 322.00
10. Italy 335.50