Dressage: Laura Bechtolsheimer targets unique hat-trick

The 25-year-old, from Ampney St Peter in Gloucestershire, added a grand prix special silver late on Wednesday night to the one she collected in Tuesday's team event alongside Great Britain colleagues Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood and Maria Eilberg.

And she will complete the most successful week of her competitive career by tackling this evening's grand prix freestyle challenge at Kentucky Horse Park.

Bechtolsheimer claimed Britain's first world championship individual dressage medal by posting a British record score of 81.70 per cent aboard Mistral Hojris for second spot behind Dutch master Edward Gal and his majestic black stallion Moorlands Totilas.

Gal had already won team gold, and is red-hot favourite for the freestyle title as well, but Bechtolsheimer is comfortably holding her own in such illustrious company and can be viewed as a potential equestrian star of the London 2012 Olympics.

"I've worked hard to keep his (Mistral Hojris'] focus for the grand prix special, and I am pretty happy with silver," she said.

"I didn't hear my mark for a long time as I was too busy telling my horse he was a legend!

"I am absolutely chuffed. I am so proud of my horse - he's so genuine and was with me all the way in the test. He would never let me down. The freestyle is always a little bit tougher for him. It is going to be a floodlit spectacular with a packed crowd and a serious atmosphere. Hopefully I can keep him together and reassure him enough."

The top 15 riders from the grand prix special will contest the freestyle, with Bigwood qualifying alongside Bechtolsheimer on Wie Atlantico, while Hester (Liebling II) is first reserve.

British Olym;pian William Fox-Pittwas due to enter the dressage arena last night on board Cool Mountain.