AN EQUESTRIAN centre in King's Somborne is the latest Hampshire business to benefit from the 2012 London Olympics.

Hoplands Equestrian Centre will be a training centre for an Olympic equestrian team in the run up to the games in four years time.

The government currently is urging businesses to sign up for Olympic contracts - Chandler's Ford based Southern X, a document solutions company, secured a contract earlier this year.

Frances Wain, owner of the equestrian centre, said: "We are over the moon with the news. We've worked very hard since we took over the centre in April last year and feel that it has all paid off.

"We have hosted the Australian team twice this year already, and hope to have a team of similar stature for the games in 2012.

"This is also the first time that the government have given a financial incentive for such contracts and I would certainly encourage other local businesses to do all they can to win their own Olympic award."

Sandra Gidley, MP for Test Valley, said: "This is great news for Hoplands and the local area. The Olympics will benefit the whole UK and local businesses must make sure they get their fair share of these contracts.

"While 500 have already been signed by the Olympic Delivery Authority, the majority of contracts have yet to be awarded."

Hampshire businesses wanting to register for business contracts should go to www.competefor.com.

9:46am Tuesday 12th August 2008

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