EMILY King will mark the 25th anniversary of her six-time Olympian mother’s first Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials victory this week by making a debut in British eventing’s most prestigious competition.

Aged just 20, King will not only be the youngest Badminton performer this year, she could also make a statement of intent with regard to this summer’s Rio Olympic Games this summer.

King’s mother, Mary, twice a winner at Badminton, is among the fancied riders to take the title as last year’s winner William Fox-Pitt and another favourite, Andrew Nicholson, have withdrawn from the competition.

Emily King, though, has already been to three Olympics – Athens, Beijing and London – in the role of spectator as her mother helped Great Britain win a team medal each time.

But Emily King has made such impressive progress – her four-star bow in Pau last October produced an impressive fourth-placed finish aboard Badminton ride Brookleigh – that many eventing observers feel Rio selection is a possibility.

“Since my result at Pau, I was put on the (selection) long list for Rio,” said King.

“I was lucky enough to have a good result at Pau, but basically I need to go to Badminton and pretty much repeat what I did at Pau, if not better.

“I am really focusing on Badminton and trying to do the absolute best that I can. We will probably know ourselves after Badminton whether it (Rio) is a realistic target or not.

“I went to Athens, Beijing and then London, so I have been quite lucky to see how it all happens behind the scenes and everything. My dream would be to compete for my country at the Olympics.”

Mary King competed at every Olympics from Barcelona in 1992 through to London four years ago. In addition to three Olympic medals, her stellar career features four European team golds and one bronze, individual European silver and bronze, plus two world team gold and one silver.

The 54-year-old has won Badminton twice, along with Burghley in 1996 and the 2011 Rolex Kentucky four-star event, and while she remains a regular competitor on Britain’s eventing circuit, Badminton this time around will be all about supporting her daughter.

“I have been very fortunate having mum there to help me, but I am a very independent character,” added Emily.

“When I was younger, I couldn’t stand her teaching me, even though she is who she is! I used to think ‘she’s my mum, and she doesn’t know what she is talking about,’ but I would have got better a lot quicker if I had listened!

“Coming back from Pau and reviewing everything, I felt he (Brookleigh) could go to Badminton and would cope well. He has been feeling on great form. we have got such a good partnership. I know him so well.”

King’s arrival among the sport’s elite at Badminton is no surprise, given that a successful age-grade career saw her win European young rider and junior team medals for Great Britain.