Equestrian: High praise for Todd

Together they had won 11 Olympics medals between them, but it was the gold and silver medal winners who were forced to take a back seat to the bronze medallist alongside them at Sydney's Horsley Park on Friday.

New three-day event Olympic champion David O'Connor and silver medallist Andrew Hoy have both known Mark Todd since his international debut 22 years ago.

While O'Connor and Hoy will carry on riding, Sydney marked Todd's last ride.

The former double gold medallist finished with an individual bronze medal, his fourth Olympics eventing medal.

He won individual titles in 1984 and 1988, and a team bronze medal in 1988.

``Mark's actually just won a few more titles than I have so I'm actually delighted to see him leave the sport,'' Hoy said.

Hoy, the winner of three consecutive team gold medals for Australia, and a silver medal today, said he was sorry, really, to see Todd go.

``I've always admired Mark's riding. I've tried to copy him... Mark has just got tremendous feel and balance when he's on a horse. Mark is able to get the best out of a horse on the day.

``I've watched Mark on a horse and he's very good, and I've seen him on the dance floor and he's good on the dance floor as well. He's got a pretty elastic body.''

Todd's unusual and enthusiastic dancing style is legendary in eventing circles.

O'Connor, who helped groom for Todd at his first Badminton win in 1980 and now has three Olympics medals, said there was no question he was the best rider of the twentieth century, as he was dubbed.

``We got to be a part of watching that. I know we'll all miss him.

``It's an era and the era's kind of drawn to a close and the sport is going to not be the better for it.

``You can teach technique, but you can't teach art. And Mark's an artist.''

- NZPA