KEY POINTS:
Mark Todd has discovered he's got quite a cheer-leading squad backing his bid for Olympic glory.
Phone lines have run hot since the 51-year-old announced he was re-donning his show gear after an eight-year retirement.
It certainly wasn't a break from horses - they've been his life. He
just switched from eventing to racing, and within two years had won the New Zealand Oaks with Bramble Rose.
But now he has found the right horse - 10-year-old grey gelding Gandalf - his bid for an Olympic comeback is all on.
Gandalf, owned by Angela Lloyd, her partner Tich Massey and her grandmother Vilma Shaw, was not even on the market when Todd approached them to buy him. Lloyd said if it wasn't Todd, she would not have sold him.
"Who in the racing world would have ever thought he could do that?" said fellow Olympian Tinks Pottinger of the comeback.
"It is fantastic news for New Zealand equestrian," she says. "Every time I think about him making this comeback, it just makes me smile."
It's a sentiment echoed by Merran Hain who has known Todd more years than she cares to add up.
It was Hain's horse Baygo who Todd rode at the Seoul Olympics - Hain, who has ridden for New Zealand in dressage, showjumping and eventing, was there as the groom.
Todd and Hain are mates - Todd trains Hain's horse Willie Smith, who would have been a Melbourne Cup starter but for an injury that has him in rehab at the moment. When he's better, it will be back to Todd he goes.
"I don't think either equestrian or the general public realised what talent we had there when we had Mark Todd, Blyth Tait, Vaughn Jeffris and Vicki Latta," says Hain.
She has no question over his age.
"Todd could go to eventing or showjumping and be just as competitive. He's fit because he's been riding racehorses - that is hard yakka in itself. And he's still hunting."
His rider of the 20th century crown - from the International Equestrian Federation - was testament to his talent.
"He is an incredibly talented rider and most horses go well for him - it is fantastic news for New Zealand eventing. We have people in the squad who realistically would struggle at Olympic level."
Todd won back to back gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics on Charisma, and golds as a member of the New Zealand team at the world championships in 1990 and 1998. He won Badminton Horse Trials three times and Burghley three-day trials five times.
"I back him all the way to not just make the team, but to do New Zealand proud," says Hain. "If anyone can make a comeback and win a medal, it is him."
Pottinger, a team bronze medalist at the 1988 Olympics, agrees.
"You could never discount him winning a medal," she says. "There is absolutely nothing stopping Todd getting back to his best - he certainly hasn't lost his touch. He is an extraordinary horseman and is someone who can get on a donkey and get around."
It was Pottinger and a few others who were with Mark and Caroline Todd a few months ago when the idea of his comeback was talked about.
"We went so far as sitting down a few days later and going through the horses in New Zealand that may be suitable."
Pottinger came up with one but told Todd she didn't think it would be ready for Beijing.
"He said he wanted to do it this year."
Todd called her a few days later to tell her he'd found "the" horse - Gandalf.
Now it will be plenty of practice and jumping to get his eye back in.
"He has the ability to feel horses and an extraordinarily good eye," says Pottinger.
"He's also a naturally gifted musician and I think that is part of being a good horseman - it is about feeling the beat and the rhythm."
If Todd does make it to the Olympics, he will be the first Kiwi to compete at six Olympics.
"Todd has a humility about him that endears him to so many - it is one of his greatest assets. He takes everyone at face vale and nothing has ever changed him."
