Riding on Horseware Hale Bob, Klimke began the day just 3.5 penalties behind the leader Christopher Burton of Australia after the two dressage tests of the competition in English county Gloucestershire. 

While Burton dropped down the standings in the cross-country round, Klimke maintained her pursuit of victory at Badminton Estate.

The 2015 runner-up finished with 3.2 penalties in the round, taking her total onto 39.6.

"I walked the course with Andrew Nicholson and I watched Michael Jung and I hoped to do as well as them," said Klimke.

"It was a difficult course - there certainly wasn't time to wave to the crowd – but Bobby was so full of himself and was pure pleasure to ride."

Defending champion Jung began the day 7.1 penalties off the lead, but the three-time Olympic gold medallist produced a superb display today.

Riding on La Biosthetique Sam, Jung would manage to avoid any penalties for the round to keep his overall score on 40.

It will see the German begin the concluding jumping round with just a 0.4 penalty deficit to Klimke tomorrow.

New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson is also well poised, as he lies a further 0.4 back to leave little separating the top three positions.

There is a larger gap to fourth place, with Nicholson's fellow New Zealander Tim Price currently 8.6 penalties off the lead.

Competition will conclude tomorrow with the jumping round.

The Badminton Horse Trials are part of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Classics series.