Bechtolsheimer has enjoyed a hugely successful championships

Britain's Laura Bechtolsheimer made it a hat-trick of silvers by finishing second in the freestyle dressage at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

The 25-year-old from Gloucestershire, riding Mistral Horjis, scored a new personal best of 85.350%.

But it was not enough to beat the seemingly invincible Dutchman Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas who broke the 90% mark with 91.800.

American rider Steffan Peters was third with Ravel on 84.900%.

Bechtolsheimer, who also took silvers earlier in the week in the individual and team dressage events, described Mistral Horjis as "a complete star".

She added: "We've performed above all expectations here. Each day I've built on my performance and tried hard not to let anything faze me.

"I need to go home and digest all of what's happened here. Competing at these Championships is the pinnacle of the sport and I've come and really made it happen - I'm just gobsmacked."

The dominant Gal was equally delighted by his third gold, saying: "There was pressure on me because everyone expected it, but I knew I could have a mistake.

"To have three golds, it's fantastic. It's so fantastic to come here and win all the tests. It's sinking in a bit."

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