ANNE Dunham admits her London 2012 omission will ‘take a while to get over’, but she has vowed to come back stronger following the disappointment.

The five-time Paralympic gold medallist was on Monday named as first reserve for the British para-dressage team that will compete at next month’s Games.

Dunham, based in Broad Hinton, helped GB to team gold in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008), but will be on standby this time with long-time ride Teddy Edwards.

That state of affairs gives her only a small chance of competing in a home Games, which has left her extremely downhearted.

“I’m disappointed for myself and also for all the people who have supported me, such as my family, my sponsors and owner. It’s all a bit gutting really,” she said. “I knew there was a chance (of not being in the team), but it was still a shock when it happened. I haven’t quite got over it and it will take me a while to get over it.”

The 63-year-old is determined to prove she is still capable of competing at the very top level and has set the 2013 European Championships as a target.

”It does tend to make you think, ‘I’ll show them (the selectors)’, said Dunham.

“There’s no stopping or slowing down. I still have to be in training because I’m aiming for the Europeans next year and I’m planning for the future. Also, as a reserve for the Paralympics should the unthinkable happen to a horse or a rider, then I have to be ready.”

Dunham competes in the 1a category for the most severely-disabled riders but Berkshire’s Sophie Christiansen will represent GB in that category instead.

Christiansen, who last week pushed Dunham into second and third in an International Para-Dressage competition at Hartpury's Festival of Dressage in Gloucestershire, will partner Janeiro 6 in London.

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.

Paralympic equestrian team leader David Hunter said: “Great Britain will be sending what I believe to be one of the strongest and best-prepared squads to the Paralympic Games.

“The five riders and their support teams have worked extremely hard all the way through the selection process and my heartfelt congratulations go to them, as well as my condolences to those who did not make the squad.

“It’s been a tough few months for all riders, particularly as the new FEI rules allow for a maximum of five competitors to compete in London - previous Games had allowed seven riders.

“The selection process has been robust and results-driven and I’m very grateful to the selectors and world-class support staff for the time and effort put in to getting the team to this stage.”