The site includes exclusive gifts, experiences and a huge array of items that will appeal to everyone, organisers hope.

 

 

The auction forms a major part of Britain's fundraising initiatives, which are now gathering momentum.

 

There are a number of lots on the site already that you can bid for. Items include the chance to join the eventing performance squad for winter training, a pamper day for two at Peter Jones in Slone Square, lessons with our equestrian stars and the 3ft tall Olympic mascot from Hong Kong.

 

The WEG includes the eight disciplines of dressage, eventing, show jumping, para-equestrian dressage, driving, endurance, reining and vaulting – for the British team this is more than 51 horses in total.

 

Will Connell, the performance director of British Equestrian, said: “The Games are being held in Kentucky, USA, the first time they have ever been held outside Europe.

 

"To send a full team and remain one of the top equestrian nations in the world, we need your help.

 

"All proceeds of this auction will go towards sending the team to the Games and supporting our talented riders in their quest to compete and win on the World stage.

 

"Without your help we will not be able to send a full team.”

 

Britain is the seventh most successful team in the WEG since it was first held at Stockholm in 1990 with a total of 15 medals, including three gold.

 

At the last event in Aachen in 2006 was memorable for the victory of Zara Phillips on Toytown in the eventing.

 

The Olympic and Paralympic teams are already supported by National Lottery funding via UK Sport, but the non-Olympic sports of driving, endurance, reining and vaulting do not receive funding of any kind.

 

Up to £500,000 is needed to support those teams and fund their trip to Kentucky next year.

 

The auction site has been launched with the support of the John Lewis Partnership, who joined with the British Equestrian Federation as part of the British Olympic Association FTSE 100 partnership scheme.

 

Anyone interested in bidding to help the British team can visit the auction via www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk and find out more about the other initiatives at www.teamgbrontrack.com.