Britain is facing tough challenge in the Beijing Paralympic equestrian events which started on Sunday, as it hopes to make four team golds in a row.

Winning the World Championship in Hartpury, England last year may put the four-member British team in a strong position to overcome challenges from contenders like Athens 2004 Silver medalist Germany and the Netherlands with their bronze in Athens and the silver for four years earlier in Sydney.

Medal favorites also include Denmark, the Atlantic Games silver medalist, and Norway, the bronze medalists at the Sydney Games.

Team test for riders of all five grades were held on Sunday. The score from this test will be added to the Individual Championship Test score to give a total combined percentage which will become the final score for team.

A total of 73 riders from 28 countries and regions will compete for 11 gold medals in the five-day equestrian events.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2008)