NZ equestrian legend Todd happy to be back in saddle

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

WELLINGTON (AFP) — New Zealand's double Olympic equestrian gold medallist Mark Todd was sure he was hanging up his riding jacket for good after winning an individual bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics.

But at the age of 52, Todd's competitive fire has been rekindled and he is launching a late bid to compete in his fifth Olympics with 10-year-old grey gelding Gandalf.

Todd was a New Zealand sporting icon after winning back to back individual golds at Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988 with his famous mount Charisma, but after Sydney he lost the desire.

"When I finished, I did not want to do it anymore," Todd told AFP.

"I had lost all motivation and at the time thought I would never come back."

He had reason to be fed up with the spotlight,...