By Bryn Palmer, Sydney

Britain's brightest young equestrian hope Jeanette Brakewell embarks on what could be the first of many Olympic missions on Saturday intent on making it a debut to remember.

"I can only see a gold - that is the only image I have got in my head - a gold medal," she admitted as she contemplated the start of the team three-day event, which opens with the dressage section over the weekend.

The Lancashire-born competitor, at 26 the youngest in the equestrian squad by some distance, will spearhead Britain's line-up on her mount, Over to You, over the next few days.

Although the team and individual spots will not be formally finalised until Friday, the Dereham-based rider is likely to be joined in the team event by Leslie Law, on Shear H2O, Pippa Funnell with Supreme Rock, and Ian Stark, probably on Jaybee.

Karen Dixon, on Too Smart, Mary King, with Star Appeal, and Stark with his second horse, Arakai, are likely to take the three spots in the individual event, which begins on Wednesday.

Stark, competing in his fifth Olympics in Sydney, was the last Briton to win a medal in either of the three disciplines of eventing, showjumping and dressage after his double silver haul in Seoul 12 years ago.

But Brakewell, buoyed by a gold medal-winning performance at the European Championships in her first team event for Britain last year, insists a similar outcome is "definitely" possible.

"It is realistic as long as we have the luck on the day and all goes to plan," she said. "We're all ready for it and everyone is prepared."

Despite her relative inexperience at major events, Brakewell insists she will try to treat the Olympics as just another event, and draw on her recent success for inspiration.

"I don't get too stressed about things, although I am sure there will be a bit of adrenalin rushing around before the dressage," she added.

"But I have learnt to take deep breaths and control it. I try to imagine how it feels when I have done a good test and try to keep things calm and level.

"I was first to go last time so hopefully they see me as a reliable team member, and even though it is the Olympics, I will try to imagine it is the Europeans and do the same things I did then."

Stark, who insists this will be his farewell event at the age of 46, admits that Australia and New Zealand, led by Mark Todd and Blyth Tait, will start favourites to complete a hat-trick of team golds, but is quietly confident about Britain's chances.

"The Australians are on home ground, but hopefully that bit of home pressure might put them off a bit," he added.

"The Kiwis are always right up there as well. The rest keep telling us we are favourites, but it is better to creep up from behind - that is what we are planning on."