For the first time, the venue hosted the Buccleuch Group Junior European Championships in which the British team took the gold medal, and British riders secured gold and silver individual medals.

Appalling weather forecasts threatened the entire event, but Jamie Innes and his team worked round the clock to ensure it went ahead.

Sixteen teams from across Europe travelled to The Hon Gerald Maitland-Carew's beautiful estate to compete for honours.

Two Russian riders had even come from Siberia and were delighted that all but one of their team competed.

Sienna Myson-Davies and her own mount Tambourine finished on their dressage score to win the individual and team gold.

Absolutely thrilled with her win, she said of Tambourine: "He was five when I got him and I have brought him on myself. He went brilliantly here. The atmosphere was fantastic when I was the last to show-jump.

"The organisation has been amazing, particularly with the weather conditions."

Libby Soley – a previous junior medal winner – riding Kachemire Le Beau, took gold team and silver invidividual medals, while Frederique Whitaker and Garie Dlatuilerie from France, two marks behind, won the individual bronze.

The other two members of the British team were Amy Hawley and Helpful Harry II, and Willa Newton on Neelix.

As host nation, Great Britain was allowed 12 runners, one team of four and eight individuals, and therefore had two trainers: Lizzel Winter and Gill Watson.

Gill said: "The squad have worked really hard together, both in training and at competitions.

"With their tremendous attitude and team spirit, they have been easy to train and the result is fabulous.

"They are all young and have exciting futures ahead."

The Irish team were second and full of praise for the cross-country course.

"We came over very positive," said Ruth Robinson, who rode Tamino 202. "It was a big, bold track which suited our horses.

"We knew it wasn't going to be our dressage competition and after the cross-country we moved up from eighth place to fourth, so it was really thrilling to finish with the silver medal.

"We had to leave the ceilidh at 10.30pm the previous evening, but I think we'll be celebrating well to-night."

In the bronze position were the German team, who finished three marks behind the Irish. One of their coaches said: "The hospitality has been fantastic and we have met so many great people who have all been so kind. It was well worth the trip."

Oli Townend has enjoyed success before at Thirlestane and 2008 was no exception.

This year he won the Davidson Chalmers CIC*** Open Championships, riding the stunningly talented Carousel Quest, owned by Andrew Cawthray.

Indeed, after dressage, Townend held the top three places, with barely a point between Flint Curtis, Clover Curtis and Carousel Quest.