ANNE Dunham admits her first-ever failure to make a Paralympic dressage team came as "a surprise", but has backed the Great Britain team to maintain their unbeaten Games record at London 2012.

The five-time Paralympic gold medallist was yesterday named as first reserve for British para-dressage team for next month's Games.

Broad Hinton rider Dunham, who helped Great Britain to team gold at Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing four years ago, will be on standby for the host nation with long-time ride Teddy Edwards.

The 63-year-old, who also won individual gold and silver in 2008, as well as bronze in Atlanta, competes in the 1a category for the most severely-disabled riders.

But with a rule change dropping the number of places in a nation's team from seven to five, the Wiltshire rider, who was made an MBE in 2009, found herself out of the main line-up.

She told gazetteandherald.co.uk: "It was a surprise because I’ve had a very good season on both horses (Teddy Edwards and LJT Lucas Normark ), but it’s been a close-run thing all year.

"They’ve picked a team to try and win a gold medal in every class and keep up our unbeaten record.

"There’s a bit of personal disappointment for me but I wish the team well and I’m sure we will do well in London.''

She added: "I’m a reserve and I’ve got to keep on training as if I am going to London.

"The reserve period is right through until August 20 and if anyone is unlucky, I’ll be there but I hope that isn’t the case for anyone.

"My whole team has been working really hard for a long time to try and get me there and when we can, we’ll have a bit of a rest.''

Berkshire's Sophie Christiansen, who last week pushed Dunham into second and third in an International Para-Dressage competition at Hartpury's Festival of Dressage in Gloucestershire, has been selected for the 1a category with horse Janeiro 6.

She won an individual bronze in Athens in 2004 and two golds (team and freestyle) in Beijing.

The 2012 squad also features nine-time Paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson (Grade Ib), who is set to make his fourth Paralympics appearance alongside Deborah Criddle (Grade III.

They are joined by Sophie Wells (Grade IV) and Natasha Baker (Grade II) – both of whom achieve Paralympic selection for the first time.