The 25-year-old from Cirencester showed real coolness under pressure aboard Mistral Hojris as the last of Britain's four riders to deliver a career-best score of 82.51 per cent, bettered only by Dutchman Edward Gal on Moorlands Totilas.

It meant Britain clinched second place, replicating their display at the 2009 European Championships in Windsor.

The Netherlands, as expected, took gold - despite Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival being eliminated when blood was seen in the horse's mouth during her test - with Germany third.

It was the first time for more than 20 years that Germany failed to win dressage team gold at the World Equestrian Games.

Bechtolsheimer, ranked third in the world, completed a stirring test to strains of Land of Hope and Glory at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, United States.

Bechtolsheimer said: "Everyone was expecting me to get a good mark, but my teammates all went so well and that gave me a lift and made me go for it.

"I'm just so happy with my horse, he gave me everything and it's an emotional thing when they do that."

The scores of Carl Hester on Liebling II on and Fiona Bigwood on Wie Atlantico also counted towards the overall total, with the British quartet completed by Maria Eilberg on Two Sox.

"This is just phenomenal," said the experienced Hester.

"We are going to have a massive celebration.

"A silver medal is fantastic, and Laura just blew her score right out of the water.

"She was amazing."