'A thrill of a lifetime' is how equestrienne Jill Terceira described her first Olympics as she put together the final pieces of her preparation for tomorrow's individual showjumping event in Hong Kong, the site for all of the Games' horse-riding competitions.

Terceira, in her mid-30s and based in Holland, has endured a turbulent ride into what she considers the pinnacle of her career.

But having survived a somewhat controversial campaign with fellow showjumper Patrick Nisbitt leading up these Games after both qualified at last year's Pan Ams with the knowledge that only one could represent Bermuda at the Olympics, she's determined to make the most of her chance.

A huge entry of 75 will battle out in tomorrow's preliminaries, knowing that only 20 will go through to the finals almost a week later (Thursday, August 21).

And while Terceira recognises she has a mountain to climb, competing against the sport's biggest names, she says the decision to bring her 'replacement' horse, Chaka III, to the Games after her original choice, Navantus, fell ill, might prove to be a blessing in disguise.

"It's hot, we'll be jumping under lights, there will be a lot of distractions, but Chaka seems to have adapted very well," said Terceira yesterday.

"I think Chaka might just be better than Navantus at this kind of event.

"Overall, I'm very pleased with our preparations. We jumped the course under the same conditions, and Chaka handled the big jumps and the lights superbly . . . wasn't spooked at all."

While the Bermudian last faced the same kind of course in Rotterdam in June, she admits it's a new experience for both her and her horse, and there will be some tough challenges.

"I guess the big crowd, the movement of the crowd could be a problem, but I don't know . . .

"It's just a fabulous experience to be here, a childhood dream, it's almost surreal. I'll be competing against the top Americans, the top Canadians, it's just enormously exciting."

Terceira and Chaka secured their Olympic ticket on the last day of qualifying on June 30, after Navantus came up lame and only after Bermuda Equestrian Federation's first choice, Nisbett, was forced to withdraw when his horse, Antille 8, fell ill after the vehicle towing their horsebox broke down during a trip in Europe.

Terceira's team in Hong Hong includes trainer Trevor Coyle, Olympic deputy chief Heidi Mello, groom Donna Maplesden and equine therapist Jennifer Lamon.