It was a stunning performance from Tina (37) who was called up from the subs bench to join the British team at the last minute to make her Olympic debut in Hong Kong with Miner's Frolic.

Her horse had been seen as a potential for the 2012 Olympics and she had been bringing him on slowly and carefully in eventing, but with some consistently good results.

For her home village of Findon it was like Aldaniti's Grand National win all over again, with celebrations. And Miner's Frolic, like Aldaniti who was trained by her father Josh to win the Aintree race, is owned by the Embiricos family.

Former champion jockey and respected trainer Josh had watched his daughter's fine performance on television at home in Findon with his grandchildren.

He told everyone:"It was absolutely fantastic. I am very proud of Tina and could't be more pleased for her."

Tina and Miner's Frolic had been consistent throughout and the flawless showjumping pulled them up into third individual place on 57.4, well ahead of other team members who finished: 11 Mary King 68.1; 12 William Fox-Pitt 68.2; 28 Daisy Dick and Spring Along 79.9; 34 Sharon Hunt 95.1.

Daisy Dick, like Tina, is the daughter of a jockey, Dave Dick.

Tina said of her horse:"He was super and really deserved a medal, he was fantastic.
"When it gets to that stage it's all about mind over matter. He's an amazing horse and has been fantastic in all three stages."

Final team placings were:
Gold – Germany – 169.7
Silver – Australia – 171.2
Bronze - Great Britain – 185.7




For full story and more Olympic news see West Sussex Gazette next week, July 20. Also m ore equestrian in Sussex Horse World each week.