Olympic medalist Tina turns her thoughts to Rio

Cook fired the Team GB eventers to a team silver with her dazzling last ride a little over a week ago in London and she is already pondering whether there will be a chance to add a gold to her collection.

The 41-year-old and her horse Miners Frolic were the final GB members to ride at Greenwich Park in the show jumping and Cook’s clear round secured the team silver – which she proudly adds to her two bronze medals from Beijing.

The question now is will Cook have a shot at adding a gold, which she admits was so frustrating to miss out on in London, in four years time.

Cook has already faced the question numerous times and is keeping an open mind as, although she believes she would be ready to compete, it will come down to her horse.

She said: “It’s too early to say, really. I’ll have to see at the end of the season. If I have horses good enough to compete in championships I would love to do it again.

“It’s a huge privilege, but I have cut down on my horses as I have a young family and I want to get involved with the training side with my brother.

“Miners Frolic has come out of London very well and I have another horse (De Lovo News) who is doing very well, so if they are fit and well, then I’d love to, but four years is a long time and I am going to take just one at a time now.

“Although I do still have the enthusiasm, unless I have the financial backing, which I don’t, I could struggle.

“Rio is on everyone’s minds, but I need to stay fit as well. I am very lucky I can keep going, it’s been proven we can ride into our 50s but it’s whether I have the equestrian athlete to do it.”

Cook, daughter of legendary horse trainer, the late Josh Gifford, was back at her stables and home along with her two childen, Isabella, seven, and Harry, five, in peaceful Findon this week, a far cry from the packed arenas of London.

For more of Tina’s thoughts on the Olympics and her reaction to her medal, pick up the Worthing Herald, which is out now.