He is not the first top-level sportsman to retire and then later make a comeback, and he probably won't be the last, but despite that New Zealand equestrian Mark Todd has been overwhelmed by the response to his comeback.
When news of his aim of making this year's Olympics broke, interest from the media and the public - not just in New Zealand - was huge. Hundreds of visitors from around the world, particularly the US, flocked to Horsetalk to read more.
 Mark Todd at Badminton in 2007. Photo: © Jan Milne |
"I must admit I've been extremely surprised at the amount of media attention we've had over this - I haven't even been to a competition on the horse yet," Todd said yesterday on television's Close Up programme from his North Canterbury home.
His comeback was for "nothing more than personal satisfaction," he said, "and if we get successful and the media want to get on to that, then that's great."
Isn't he, perhaps, just a little too old for all of this?
"I don't think so, I hope not! I don't feel that old. I've had eight years off so I'm refreshed and I'm ready for another go," Todd said.
"Luckily in this game experience counts for a lot. It's not as if I'm a swimmer or an athlete or a gymnast - I would be too old for that. But in this game experience is a big factor and I guess I've got plenty of that. I've kept myself pretty fit, I feel as if I'm still capable, so we'll have a go and see what happens."
If Todd can pull off a longshot, he might rub shoulders with another "experienced" Olympian, in Canada's Ian Millar, who at 61, is aiming to make his country's team in showjumping for a record ninth time.
Todd said he'd entertained thoughts of getting back into eventing in the past year or so, but until now the opportunity hadn't presented itself. "It's not ego - it's part of a challenge really. The opportunity has come up and for me it is about a challenge to see if I can get back to that level again.
"It's a very long shot even getting qualified, then getting selected for the Olympics - let alone anything beyond that. We just take it one step at a time."
His family is right behind him in the venture: "without their support I wouldn't be doing it because it affects us all in the long run," Todd said.
He was so far pleased with his new mount, the 10-year-old gelding Gandalf. "I felt he was a horse that, a, I could get on with and, b, he has a talent to maybe get to that Olympic level. He's got a great temperament, he moves well, he jumps well. He's a safe horse, which is very important - I don't want to be riding anything dangerous. I thought he might have that something special that in maybe six months time, he will produce," Todd said.
"He's been quite a successful horse already with Angela Lloyd, up to this level."
Since his official eventing retirement some eight years ago Todd has ridden most days and has also been a successful thoroughbred trainer. He is currently conditioning thoroughbred yearlings for sale, and next week takes a consignment to New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka sales. His Olympic mission is being sponsored by the firm.
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