Tim Stockdale, 43, is part of the GB Equestrian squad and, on 17th August, his bid for an Olympic medal will commence.

Tim first rode for his country in 1988 and, although he has won numerous international titles, he has never competed at the Olympic Games.

The star of a 1995 Channel Four documentary said he was delighted to be selected for GB and paid tribute to his horse, Fresh Direct Corlato, who helped him take four major Grand Prix titles last year.

He said: "I am over the moon."

"My mare Corlato has gone fantastically well and she deserves the opportunity to jump at the Olympic Games."

"It is great for everyone concerned; my team at home, my owners and sponsors, who have all had belief in me."

The show jumper, who taught celebrities his tricks of the trade in a televised Sport Relief project in 2006, sees the Beijing Olympics as the pinnacle of his glittering career.

"The Olympic Games is everything I have worked for and a huge honour, he said. "I am a very lucky man to have such a fantastic horse to ride."

Will Connell, the British Equestrian Team Leader, said Tim's inclusion in the squad is well deserved.

He said: "Tim has achieved so much, he deserves his first shot at an Olympics."

Tim worked for a year at Mike Saywell's yard in Retford during the 70s and Mike said it was the rider's work ethic that had taken him to China.

He told the Guardian: "He was with us for about a year and since then we'd see him at shows from time to time."

"I was very pleased for him, he's done well and he's got there through sheer hard work."

Tim is currently fifth in the British Show Jumping Association rankings and already this year he has secured a place in the World Cup final and won Nates Grand Prix for the second year running.

Show jumping makes up a third of the equestrian event and sees competitors tested against the clock over a series of obstacles, including water jumps and simulated stone walls.

The team competition takes place over three rounds and the team with the lowest number of penalties from its three best-placed riders in the final two rounds is declared the winner.

The three rounds of team competition also act as qualification for the individual competition with the riders who accumulate the least number of penalties moving through to a two-round final.

Tim will begin his Olympic campaign on 17th August at 12.15pm (BST) at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue.