Veteran horseman Ian Stark admits he is "hungrier than ever" to end Britain's equestrian drought and crown an illustrious career with an elusive gold medal at his fifth and final Olympics.

The 46-year-old Scot remains the last competitor to win a British medal in either of the three disciplines of eventing, showjumping and dressage after his double silver haul in Seoul 12 years ago.

Stark finished runner-up in both the individual and team events during a vintage era for the sport in this country, the 1988 team including other luminaries such as Mark Phillips, Virginia Leng-Holgate and Karen Slater.

The Galashiels-born eventer also won team silver four years earlier in Los Angeles, and even after more than 20 years at the top level, admits that the prospect of a final tilt at Olympic glory is fuelling his ambition once again.

"The buzz gets greater with each Games," he said yesterday. "At my first one I was a bit intimidated and it was all a bit of a haze but the expectation grows each time and I am really looking forward to it all again.

"It is pretty electric really. The closer you get to the competition, the more exciting it becomes and I'm as hungry as ever. I've got three silvers but that gold has proved elusive so far, so hopefully this is it."

Having spent the past three weeks based out at their own hotel near the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Bay, the British squad will move into the athletes village in Homebush tomorrow, another stage in the build-up towards the competition proper next weekend.

"The ones who haven't been before don't realise what the village is like," he explained.

"It is really exciting to be able to mix with all the other sports and nationalities and the atmosphere is fantastic. Everyone is so glad to be here and that is what being in the Olympics is all about."

Stark has also had his fair share of disappointments in the Olympic arena, suffering misfortune when his own horse went lame with the team leading overall at Barcelona in 1992, while a fall in Atlanta four years ago was indicative of a disastrous Games for the team.

But, with all the British horses having come through the 36-hour trip to Sydney via Dubai and Singapore unscathed and in superb condition, Stark - who will almost certainly compete in both the team and individual events - believes the omens for success this time are good.

"I think we have got one of the best teams ever," he said. "We have got fantastic horses and brilliant riders. So often in the past the selectors' job has been done for them but now they have got quite a lot to choose from, and it looks very positive for us."

Despite his optimism at the potential within the current squad, in equine and human terms, Stark insists that he will not be tempted to prolong his Olympic career into his 50th year, with Sydney set to be his last major competition.

"If the horses are fit and well I would like to go on doing Badminton and Burghley for a while, but this will be my last team competition," he added.

"Some of the riders already call me Pops or Dad, and I have to stop before they call me granddad!"