The 26-year-old from Gloucestershire (pictured top) was part of the trio that won the team dressage and another stunning display saw her take victory again with a score of 90.089 per cent – an Olympic record – aboard her horse Valegro.

Adelinde Cornelissen of the Netherlands, riding Parzival, secured silver while Dujardin's compatriot, Laura Bechtolsheimer, paired with Mistral Hojris, took bronze to add to the gold she won in the team dressage.

Dujardin admitted she was shocked by her triumph: "It's unbelievable.

"I've always known that my horse could achieve this but with the atmosphere and expectations actually doing it is something else.

Individual dressage victor Charlotte Dujardin (centre) is flanked by Adelinde Cornelissen (right) and Laura Bechtolsheimer

"It's been amazing since I got the phone call to say I'd made the team.

"Not many people get this chance and to come here with such a fantastic horse like Valegro and win doesn't feel real.

"He felt a bit tired today but he gave me his all, he's never let me down – he's the horse of a lifetime."

The success marks Britain's third equestrian gold of the Games with this and the team dressage successes being complemented by victory in the team jumping.

With the equestrian competition now at an end Britain has snared half of the six available gold medals with Germany taking two and Switzerland one.

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August 2012: Britain wins its first Olympic dressage medal – and it's gold