OLYMPIC gold medallist Jane Holderness-Roddam will compete in her first one-day event for 13 years to raise money for two equine charities.

Riding veteran horse, Tigers' Eye II, stable name Bill, Mrs Holderness-Roddam will raise money for the Brooke and World Horse Welfare at West Wilts Equestrian Centre on August 18.

Mrs Holderness-Roddam, who owns West Kington Stud, near Chippenham, was the first woman to represent Britain in Olympic three-day eventing, winning team gold in Mexico in 1968, and went on to build a highly successful career in her sporting field.

Nicknamed the galloping nurse, because she studied nursing at the same time, she won at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1968 and 1978, and Burghley Horse Trials in 1976.

She has dedicated her life to helping horses, becoming trustee for World Horse Welfare for two terms, seeing first-hand how they have improved the lives of so many horses in the UK and worldwide. and she is a trustee for Brooke, an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in some of the world's poorest communities.

“Horses have been a part of my life since childhood, and caring for them properly is really important to me," she said.

"Bill is still able to compete at the age of 20 in part because of the excellent care he’s had from a dedicated team.

"Sadly, some equine animals working around the world are lucky to reach a quarter of his age. I want to help change that,” she said.

Mrs Holderness-Roddam is a trustee for The Brooke, and visited their work in Senegal in 2014 where she saw how the Brooke teams are providing training, community engagement and emergency veterinary care to improve welfare for horses, donkeys and mules.

Petra Ingram, chief executive for The Brooke, said: “Jane is a dedicated trustee, and it was wonderful to take her to see the Brooke’s work last year. We’re so incredibly grateful that she’s decided to go the extra mile, or should I say extra jump, for the Brooke and World Horse Welfare.”

Tiger’s Eye II has had an illustrious career himself, competing in m ore than120 events.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said: “Jane has been a role model and inspiration for many people involved in equestrian sport ever since winning team gold in eventing at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and it is fantastic that she is getting back in the saddle to raise funds for World Horse Welfare and The Brooke.

"As a World Horse Welfare trustee for many years, she played a pivotal role in developing our work to deliver lasting change across the full spectrum of the horse world. I wish her the very best of luck with the event and I, along with all at World Horse Welfare, will be cheering her on.”

To support Mrs Holderness-Roddam and the charities, visit her fundraising page: bit.do/onedayevent