Just like finely tuned athletes, the horses training for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games need to keep their routines varied so they don't burn out.

The team of horses selected for the showjumping event in the Modern Pentathlon will be put through new training exercises at Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus in the next few weeks as they are fine-tuned in the countdown to the Olympics.

The 22 horses, trained and stabled at CSU's world-class equestrian centre, recently returned from a short spell to resume intensive training sessions.

Equine Centre Manager, John Smart, who is overseeing the management and training of the horses with the University's equine studies students, said the horses are now back in full work mode.

Mr Smart said the horses are now almost ready for their Olympic events on 30 September and 1 October.

"Keeping the routine varied is the secret to keeping the horses in a good frame of mind so they won't burn out before the Games," Mr Smart said.

In addition to a combination of dressage and jump work, their routine also includes road rides and workouts on the indoor exercise track. The horses will look their best by the Olympics too.

Mr Smart said they are being groomed and washed each day so by the end of September they should really "look the part".

Anticipation is also building among the 10 CSU staff and students who are accompanying their equine charges to the Olympics.

The team includes the stable foreman, Brendan Jenkin, vet surgeon, Dr Kevin Pendergast and farrier, John Doherty.

The CSU students going to the Olympics will be working as stable hands and stable hand riders.

One of the equine studies students, James Hooper, will get as close to experiencing the thrill of an Olympic Games as the competitors: he will ride around the competition course to display some of the horses to SOCOG officials and the Olympians several days before the men's and women's events. James, 19, an accomplished showjumper from Victoria, said he is not nervous, as he knows the horses are well prepared, but is keen to perform well on the day to create a positive image for the University.

He said the chance to participate so closely in the Olympics is a great opportunity, especially as he hopes to continue competing in the Australian showjumping circuit in the future.