HER great-grandfather Sir Athol Oakeley was a world champion wrestler and her grandfather Sir John Oakeley was an Olympic and America's Cup yachtsman.

Now, 11-year-old Olivia Oakeley is aiming to live up to the family tradition of sporting excellence by representing Great Britain at dressage.

The signs are looking promising for the schoolgirl who says it is her ambition to be part of the country's horse riding team at the 2012 Olympics - hopefully in London.

Olivia, of Firs Drive, Hedge End, started riding at the age of six when her parents gave her riding lessons at a local stable as a birthday present.

She took to it like a duck to water, started to ride in local shows and the rosettes soon began to roll in.

Three years ago the Wildern school pupil decided to specialise in dressage - where harmony between horse and rider is essential to catch the judges' eye - after a Pony Club instructor spotted her talent.

She was placed in her first competition against adults. But her dressage career really took off a year ago when she got her current pony, May Frizzante.

Since then she has represented England as a member of a pony team at the British Dressage Under 21 Nationals - with special dispensation because she was officially too young to take part - plus qualified for the summer regional championships and the winter semi-finals, also against adult riders.

Now she is hoping to compete for England in an international friendly meet in Ireland in May.

Her sporting flair is certainly not unique in the family.

Great-grandfather Sir Athol Oakeley was one of the greatest wrestlers of his time while her grandfather Sir John Oakeley is known worldwide for his yachting.

Besides becoming a top dressage rider, Olivia says it is her ambition to be a horse physiotherapist plus train a young horse to international standard.

She said: "I was hooked after having my first riding lessons. I just thought it was really nice to have sport where you interact with animals.

"I decided to specialise in dressage because I thought it was really elegant and because of the relationship you have to have with your pony. It is a really good feeling when the pony does exactly what you are asking."