Bechtolsheimer rode Mistral Hojris, better known as Alf, to freestyle victory ahead of Dujardin and Valegro, while roles were reversed in the grand prix. Richard Davison and Hiscox Artemis came fourth on both occasions.
A British team has never before posted such strong dressage results, with Dujardin and Hester enjoying a remarkable 2011. 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 following Wednesday’s victory.
“I wanted to finish 2011 showing that Alf and I are by no means old news. It means everything to have won this competition.”
Bechtolsheimer and Dujardin, 25, form a youthful core for the British team. Dujardin has spent almost five years working for and learning from Hester at his yard – she calls her GB team-mate “grandad” – and she hailed 2011 as her breakthrough year.
“I’m still learning and getting to grips with it all, but for a nine-year-old horse to go in there and do that, you have to pinch yourself,” she said.
“I’ve been to the European Championships, won gold, come to Olympia which was one of my dreams this year, and I won yesterday. I can’t ask for much more.”
