Top show jumper MJ Tumbridge is hoping to spread Bermuda's image as a tourist and financial centre far and wide with a new sponsorship deal.

The Bermudian eventer, who hopes to bring back a medal from the Pan-Am Championships later this summer, is hoping a major backer will come forward to help her bid to win in Maryland and possibly the Olympics in Greece next year.

Currently Tumbridge, as a designated elite athlete, receives some financial help from the Bermuda government and enjoys sponsorship from drinks company Gosling's, but she is desperate to find a major backer for her team.

And she believes she has the perfect `vehicle' for any would-be backer - her huge horsebox.

At the moment, the purpose-built truck carries advertising on the rear for Gosling's Bermuda Black Seal Rum but Tumbridge is hoping to attract more advertisers - in the same way Formula One or NASCAR vehicles are adorned with advertising.

She said a Bermudian company involved in the hospitality trade or even the Department of Tourism could benefit hugely from having their name and a Bermuda image painted on the side of the truck.

"I get a lot of moral support from Bermuda," said Tumbridge. "And I love to ride for Bermuda, I love flying the flag, but I need to get sponsorship.

"Any money I get comes from the Bermuda government and Gosling's, for which I am extremely grateful."

But, she added, it was her English benefactors, Amanda and Patrick Rolfe, who back her eventing team to the tune of ?40,000 a year, in addition to giving Tumbridge a roof over her head at their small farm in Surrey.

Although she does get assistance from the Bermuda Olympic Federation when she competes internationally, Tumbridge is hoping some financial support may be forthcoming to aid her efforts in the domestic eventing campaign.

And a tourism-related, or even financial organisation, would be perfect, she said, because of the high profile she maintains in the eventing world - not least because she travels tens of thousands of miles each year across northern Europe, but also because the type of people who attend events could be potential visitors to the Island.

Tumbridge already flies the Bermuda flag wherever she goes, but believes the impact of a 40ft by 20ft mobile advertising hoarding could be huge. Each weekend, between March and November, she is criss-crossing Britain and parts of the continent attending events as far apart as Holland, Scotland and south western England. And that includes prestigious competitions like Burghley Horse Trials, Badminton and another at Gatcombe Park, the home of the Princess Royal.

In addition, any success in the Pan-Am Championships or Olympics would inevitably raise Tumbridge's profile even more.

Tumbridge, whose mother Irene and six brothers and sisters are all resident on the Island, visits at least twice a year but knows that her absence from Bermuda means she is out of the public eye most of the time. However, she believes that she can still play an important part in promoting the Island.

Meanwhile, Mike Cherry, head of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, has pointed out that the Pan-Am Championships in which Tumbridge will compete in Maryland in August should not be confused with the Pan-Am Games which will held at the same time in the Dominican Republic.

Tumbridge is the defending Pan-Am Games eventing champion, having struck gold in Winnipeg four years ago, but while dressage and show jumping will take place in the Dominican Republic, eventing is not on the Games schedule this time around.

"In effect, MJ has not been given a chance to defend her title, which is rather disappointing," said Cherry.

"Instead she will compete in the Pan-Am Championships, which will serve as a qualifier for next year's Olympics. But the event is not connected to the Pan-Am Games, it has been organised by the world governing body."