Oxfordshire rider Emile Faurie was a member of the Great Britain team, which struck gold for the first time in the 25-year history of the FEI European Dressage Championships.

Faurie, from Milton-under-Wychwood, and teammates Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Charlotte Dujardin showcased their London 2012 Olympic gold medal credentials with a superb display in Rotterdam.

They produced a record-breaking performance to stun world dressage heavyweights Germany and Holland at the Kraslinge Bos arena.

The Germans and Dutch had won every previous European team title between them, which underlined the strength of Britain’s achievement.

European silver medalists in Windsor two years ago and World Equestrian Games runners-up last October, they went up another gear by posting the highest team total – 238.678 – ever seen in a European Championship.

Hester, who made his international debut 21 years ago, posted the team competition’s top score, a personal best 82.568 per cent on his brilliant prospect Uthopia.

Dujardin, who is trained by Hester at his Gloucestershire yard, matched her coach’s achievement as she recorded a career-best 78.830 aboard Valegro, while multiple world and European medalists Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris scored 77.280.

Faurie and Elmegardens Marquis also topped the 70 per cent mark. But Britain’s three counting team scores were first, fourth and fifth from 64 starters on the roster.

Their dominance was interrupted only by stellar stallion Totilas and his new rider, Germany’s Matthias Rath, with a score of 79.894, and Dutch star Adelinde Cornelissen (Jerich Parzival) on 81.155.

Germany had to be content with the silver medal, while defending champions Holland took bronze, the lesser medal placings being confirmed after Cornelissen performed her test following a delay due to thunderstorms.

Britain’s triumph sees them installed as early favourites for London Olympics success next summer.

And there could be more medals to come in Rotterdam, with individual European titles at stake in today’s grand prix special and the showpiece freestyle finale on Sunday.