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Showjumper Jillian Terceira admits she's been through a 'rollercoaster of emotions' after going from the disappointment of being left out of the Olympic team to carrying the flag at the opening ceremony.

Terceira, who competes in Hong Kong today, spoke out after she was omitted from the Games team for Patrick Nisbett, insisting she and her horse Chaka III were Bermuda's best option.

She was later called up to the team after Nisbett pulled out because his horse Antille 8 suffered health problems.

She insists there is no animosity between the two riders and she hopes to compete alongside Patrick in a Bermuda Equestrian team at the next Olympic Games in London 2012.

For now, she says it's time to 'leave the controversy behind' and make her mark for Bermuda as the island's first Olympic show-jumping competitor.

"What a turnaround. It's been an emotional rollercoaster for me.

"Chaka was in good form and it was a big disappointment to be omitted. Then with the unfortunate luck for Patrick there I was at the front of the team in the opening ceremony.

"Hopefully I can now leave that controversy behind and do the best I can for Bermuda."

Terceira says she does not feel any pressure going into today's event.

"I really don't know what is possible. I'm trying to keep an open mind and just do my best.

"It's Bermuda's first time in showjumping and my first Olympic Games so the expectations aren't that high.

"There is not that much pressure this time. Hopefully the experience will be valuable and in four years we can come back try to [win a] medal in London."

She said she had spent the past week acclimatizing, riding the horse regularly in the heat of the day and preparing herself mentally for today's first qualifying stage.

She said she had let Chaka rest for a couple of weeks after being left out of the Olympic team - something she now feels could be a blessing in disguise, with the horse looking well rested and in good shape.

"I still can't believe that we're here. I'm getting excited now. I'm keen to get in there and get started."[[In-content Ad]]

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