The three-time Olympic champion Michael Jung from Horb took the lead after dressage at the German Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen.
He received 25.6 penalty points for his performance on his eleven-year-old stallion Highlighter.
Second before the cross-country ride on Saturday is Dirk Schrade from Heidmühle, who scored 26.4 penalty points with Casino. Alina Dibowski from Döhle received 26.8 points with Barbados in third place.
The cross-country course for the four-star test, in which international starters also take part, leads over 3810 meters with 21 obstacles on Saturday. The title decision will be made on Sunday in the final jumping.
In the more demanding five-star test, Sophie Leube from Hamm-Rhynern was the only German starter with her top horse Jadore Moi in seventh place after dressage.