OLYMPIC TEAM TO HAVE A 'STABLE' HOME IN KING'S SOMBORNE - GIDLEY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 11th Aug 2008

As the Olympics in Beijing captivate the world's attention, Test Valley MP Sandra Gidley has welcomed the news that Hoplands Equestrian Centre in King's Somborne is to be a training centre for an Olympic equestrian team when the games come to the UK in 2012.

The equestrian centre is the second business in the local area to have benefited from an Olympic contract after it emerged that Chandler's Ford based 'The Southern X' was awarded such a contract in February. The news also comes as the government is calling on even more businesses to throw their hats into the ring.

Commenting today, Sandra 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.

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

"I applaud both Hoplands Equestrian Centre and Chandler's Ford based 'The Southern X', both of whom are carrying the torch for our local area. I hope that other local companies will now follow their lead in search of Olympic glory!"

Frances Wain, owner of Hoplands Equestrian Centre added:

"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!"

Businesses are now able to register on www.CompeteFor.com for one the business contracts.

ENDS