GREAT Britain's top dressage riders completed a podium clean sweep in the FEI World Cup grand prix freestyle-to-music competition at London Olympia.

Gloucestershire-based Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris – currently ranked number two in the world – landed the £5,600 top prize.

In doing so, Bechtolsheimer became the first British rider to win the class since its inception seven years ago.

But it was a closely-run affair, as her fellow European team gold medallists Charlotte Dujardian and Newent's Carl Hester both finished less than a point behind her.

Bechtolsheimer posted a score of 83.975, but Dujardin and Valegro, who won the grand prix event, went desperately close to completing the double, finishing just behind with 83.70.

Hester, who also won two individual silver medals at the Europeans four months ago, then scored 83.45 on Uthopia after a gripping contest went to the wire and illustrated British dressage's considerable position of strength heading into London Olympic year.

Attention now switches to showjumping at Olympia, with five days' action starting tomorrow and highlighted by Sunday's Rolex World Cup qualifier that Britain's Michael Whitaker won last year.

The 26-year-old Bechtolsheimer remains second in the world rankings despite, by her own admission, failing to deliver her best in the past year.

"The last two competitions (before Olympia) for me, as an individual, weren't my best performances," said Bechtolsheimer.

"I wanted to finish 2011 showing that Alf (Mistral Hojris) and I are by no means old news.

"It means everything to have won this competition."