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Mark Todd took a step closer to qualifying for the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics, by winning the CIC*** at Puhinui in New Zealand this month. Riding NZB Gandalf he led from the dressage on a score of 48.9, followed up by the addition of six cross country time penalties. Foot-sore from losing a shoe at the fifth fence on the cross country, led to what he described as “the worst showjumping round of his life". But after surviving a few sticky moments, their one down did nothing to spoil the day.

Photo: Andrew MacKay

They are heading for Britain in mid-April and are planning to secure their qualification for the Olympics at the three star event in Saumur. If they don't achieve it there, they can still qualify at one of the British events before the selection deadline.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand squad for Olympics selection was reduced by two today with Matthew Grayling and Bryce Newman out of contention due to horse problems.

Twice Olympic individual gold medallist - with Charisma and arguably the greatest event rider ever, Mark retired from eventing eight years ago, after the Sydney Olympics. The recent announcement of his bid to return to international eventing, surprised the eventing community and could see the eventing legend win a third Olympic title.

Mark Todd Facts

Three times winner of Badminton (1980, 1994, 1996)

Five times winner of Burghley (1987, 90, 91, 97 and 99)

Mark Todd is one of only two riders to take Burghley 1st and 2nd in the same year (the other being fellow countryman Blyth Tait)

Two Olympic individual Medals (Charisma 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul)

Three Olympic team medals (1984 LA, 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney)

Only the second repeat Olympic three day eventing champions (Charisma).

Mark was also an accomplished show jumper, competing in the Olympic show jumping in 1988 and 1992.

Charisma with Mark famously opened the 1990 Commonwealth games in Auckland, the only horse ever to do so.

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