Britain's Pride of the Paddock

Chariot racers brought their horses to the ancient Olympics by boat on journeys that could often last weeks. These days Britain's equestrian team flies in the kind of luxury normally reserved for those sitting in first-class.

When Pippa Funnell's horse, Primmore's Pride, travelled here from London last Saturday the price for his ticket was £4,750.

For that journey the gelding, on whom rests Britain's hopes in the three-day event, travelled in his own personal aluminium container, was given specially padded travel boots to protect his hooves, and luxuriated in an aeroplane cooled to around 18C (64F) specially for his comfort.

During the flight Primmore's Pride received constant pampering from his groom, Hannah Bailey, ate as much hay as he could eat, and received regular visits from an on-board vet to check his welfare.

The days when horses were sedated and put into wooden boxes for air trips are long in the past. "Horses are much more used to travelling nowadays," said Jenny Hall, the veterinarian for the British team.

"To be successful, they have to travel a lot more than in the past. The travel conditions and arrangements are much better."

All the same, it was a relieved Funnell who gave Primmore's Pride a special rub of the snout when the two were reunited in Athens later in the day. "I travelled separately but I was quite paranoid," admitted Funnell. "I took the horse to the airport myself and loaded him on to the plane.

"The riders hardly worry about ourselves at all but we're completely obsessed about our horses. I wanted to see that he was happy but he was pigging so much hay I thought, 'You are not in the least bit bothered'."

Anyone who has seen the two together would think Funnell and Primmore's Pride are like a couple of young teenagers in love, so much do they dote on each other.

"It's not just about man and horse," she said. "It's about man and your best friend because you are with them every day. It's a relationship that is built up. To me that is the best thing about the sport."

An illustration of how closely rider and horse rely on each other came yesterday when Sarah Cutteridge was forced to withdraw from Britain's team because her horse, The Wexford Lady, had suffered an injury. Mary King on King Solomon has replaced them and, as one of the best riders in the world, should not affect Britain's chances.

Primmore's Pride stands 17.1 hands high and weighs 550kg, and this beast has helped Funnell to become one of Britain's biggest hopes for a gold medal.

Last year Funnell and Primmore's Pride became the first pair in the history of the sport to complete the three-day grand slam of Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley. It earned Funnell a £165,000 bonus from Rolex and led to a nomination for the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year award.

"I was mentally really shattered after last year but I've had one of the quietest springs I've ever had," said Funnell. "I feel recharged." Unlike racing, where jockeys often sit on horses for the first time just before the race, success in eventing is generally the result of a partnership between horse and rider based on trust built up over time and experience. Funnell has been riding 11-year-old Primmore's Pride since he was two. Upon his arrival here, Primmore's Pride has continued to receive first-class attention in the specially built stables.

There is a 16-strong support team, including grooms, trainers, a vet, a doctor, a physiotherapist and a farrier, to look after him and his equine colleagues. The British Olympic Association have also shipped in more than 900 kilos of feed.

But then the gelding is among the best athletes at the games - on four or two legs.

Eventing is regarded as the ultimate test of horse and rider, combining the three disciplines of dressage, show jumping and cross-country to produce an overall winner.

Eventing was included in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1912 and since then Britain have won 13 individual and team medals - more than any other nation - including a silver, with a team containing Funnell, in Sydney.

The team event involves five horses and riders with the best three scores counting towards the team result. With three of the world's top four riders in their squad, Britain are big favourites. "Basically everyone is expecting us to get gold," said Funnell. "But there are 10 or 15 that are well capable of winning. It's a stronger field than we have ever seen at an Olympics."

But Funnell knows what her main target is. "My number one priority before winning a gold medal is seeing my horse is OK."

High riders - Four for the three-day event

William Fox-Pitt (Great Britain)

There is no doubting his determination, and he has the credentials. He also has an outstanding horse in Tamarillo, with whom he won Badminton this spring.

Nicolas Touzaint (France)

Took eventing by storm last year when he won France's first European championship gold for 10 years. Rides the talented grey Galan de Sauvagère again in Athens.

Bettina Hoy (Germany)

Regularly scores top marks in the dressage and could easily win the individual gold if she can achieve a successful cross country round on the experienced Ringwood Cockatoo.

Blyth Tait (New Zealand)

The 43-year-old has maintained a low profile recently, but has been carefully preparing Ready Teddy (his 1996 gold medal partner) for these games.