Blyth Tait MBE has secured a major new sponsorship deal with Online Finance, the first British company to offer car loans over the Internet.

As part of the agreement, each of Blyth's horses that is qualified for the Olympics - Ready Teddy, Chesterfield, Aspyring and Welton Envoy - will run under the joint ownership of Online Finance. The company will also entertain customers and their families at eight events during the season.

Although Online Finance is already involved in the horse world - the company is a PERA partner - this sponsorship represents a significant commitment to the sport.

Launched in 1997 by chief executive Joe Giannamore, who recognised that most cars are bought at the weekend and in the evening when banks and finance companies are closed, Online Finance is an Internet siucces story. The company offers loans for used cars through the internet. A network of brokers and dealers link up to the Internet to arrange a loan for their client within the hour. Online Finance's ideal customer is afamily with children looking for a second car and the equestrian world meets this profile.

"On:line always atttempts to achieve excellence through individual and team focus, discipline and commitment" commentsJoe Giannamore. "We wanted to back someone who represents these same vallues and I really cannot think of anyone who embodies this more than Blyth. His standards are secomd to none and, as xurrent World and Olympic Champion, his ability to deliver results speaks for itself."

Blyth comments: " I am fortunate to have three terrific sponsors - On:Line Finance, Toggi and Air New Zealand. Their support will allow me to concentrate wholeheartedly on the task in hand - to defend my Olympic Gold Medal in Sydney."