World Equestrian Games: Great Britain claim dressage silver

Great Britain secured qualification for the Olympics in Rio in 2016

Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro steered Great Britain to team dressage silver behind Germany at the World Equestrian Games.

Dujardin, 29, posted 85.271% to beat easily the score she needed to overhaul the Netherlands for second place in Caen.

All three teams on the podium become the first nations, in any sport, to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"I had such fun," said Dujardin, who could win individual gold on Friday.

She must first come through Wednesday's Grand Prix Special and Friday's deciding Grand Prix Freestyle if she is to replicate her gold medal-winning performances at London 2012 and the 2013 European Championships.

"I went out there to do my very best and wanted to try to get us (the team) into a medal position," added the Gloucestershire rider.

Charlotte Dujardin became the first Briton to complete a hat-trick of world records in all three elements of her sport in 2013

"Valegro did his best and I'm so lucky as he has just felt fantastic all week.

"To go out there and get the welcome I got was fantastic. It's such a great feeling to have that many people behind you."

Carl Hester, Michael Eilberg and Gareth Hughes completed the British team alongside Dujardin - Hester placing 14th on Nip Tuck with 74.186%. Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi's 71.886%, for 23rd, was the remaining score of the three which count in the team scoring system.

Dujardin and Valegro received 10 "perfect 10" marks from judges in their routine. All other riders in the event received three perfect 10s between them.

Her result pushed Britain to a total of 231.343, well behind a phenomenal German team who had long ago wrapped up gold, scoring 241.700 thanks to 80-plus contributions from Isabell Werth - Dujardin's nearest rival, a fairly substantial 3.742% behind - and Helen Langehanenberg.

The Dutch took bronze with 227.400.

Dujardin will be a firm favourite to add double world gold to her enviable medal collection, with the grand prix special and Friday's musical freestyle titles well within her grasp.