Amazing comeback shows Hindle's hunger and power of friends

'Keep your fingers crossed,' one woman said.

British rider Emma Hindle gestured to her mid-section and nodded.

But the woman was not referring to Hindle's health - two months ago, the 33-year-old had an operation to remove a tumour - but to her dressage score, a 72.345 per cent that would be enough to give her seventh.

'Right,' Hindle said and looked back up to the rider competing in the arena.

Less than two months ago, during the British Olympic selection trials, Hindle discovered she had a tumour and needed an operation. She telephoned the British selectors to ask if they still wanted her to compete for a place on the British team.

They said yes, told her to keep going and after completing the trials, Hindle went for a second opinion and then an operation. She stayed in the hospital for 10 days and during that time, as she was still unable to walk, she found out she had been selected to come to Hong Kong.

Three weeks after the operation, she was back on a horse, but as her body was not in the best condition, Hindle required hours in the gym and hours more in the physiotherapy rooms. 'It's not a very easy way to prepare,' Hindle admitted.