last updated on September 30, 2010 09:41

It’s a World Championship silver team medal for Britain! In a tense day of competition, the British Team of Fiona Bigwood, Maria Eilberg, Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer clinched silver in a close fought battle with the Netherlands, Germany and the USA.

The Dutch riders came out on top despite one of their strongest combinations, Adelinde Cornelissen with Jerich Parzival, being eliminated when the horse bit his tongue. Their anchor combination Edward Gal and the flamboyant Moorlands Totilas secured gold with a score of 84.043%. The final German rider Isabell Werth with Warum Nicht FRH posted the team’s best score of 75.404% to put the pressure on the final British pairing Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Horjis. They more than answered with a personal best and new British record score of 82.511% and a medal was in our grasp – but what colour?

It was down to the final rider of the day, the USA’s Steffen Peters and Ravel, who with a personal best score could earn a silver or bronze team medal. Despite huge home support and his best efforts, the score was 78.596% which was good enough for third individually but just not enough for a medal. It was Silver for the British Team and Bronze for the Germans.

Our first rider this morning was Carl Hester with John Risley and Cheryl Meisner’s Liebling II and despite later admitting he was incredibly nervous, he produced a stunning test to post Britain’s second score over the magic 70% barrier with 72.128% which put us in serious medal contention.

Commenting on his ride Carl said; “I’m over the moon. I remember my first Championship over 20 years ago and not being at all nervous. 20 years on, I’m really nervous! I suppose the older and more experienced you are, the more people expect of you and you don’t want to let them down. They watch on and think things never go wrong for you but they do! I had such a great ride. Liebling II wouldn’t be the biggest mover like some horses here but he’s very honest and workman like. He was relaxed in there but really on my aids. He’s never let me down and is a professional at his job. I came here to do my job for the team and with that performance, that’s what I’ve done.”

Laura had the following to say about her test; “Even before I started my test, my team mates had given me a real boost with their performances. Mistral Horjis found it easy from start to finish with no mistakes. He amazes me that he’s so extravagant but still stays relaxed. He travelled well here and has been working in seventh gear ever since we arrived! I was just hoping I had him right for today and I guess I did.”

>> Watch Laura's Grand Prix WEG test here

Team GBR Grand Prix Results:

2nd - Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris, 82.511%
11th - Carl Hester and Liebling II, 72.128%
14th - Fiona Bigwood and Wie Atlantico, 70.128%
26th - Maria Eilberg and Two Sox, 68.213%

Full results are available from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games website.

All four riders are through to tomorrow’s Grand Prix Special. Start times can be viewed here.

Team GBR Silver Medallists	Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris, 82.511%
Carl Hester and Liebling II, 72.128%	Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris delighted with their performance