If she wins either the individual or team dressage Werth will become the first rider to win seven Olympic gold medals.

Werth arrives in Tokyo as number one in the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) dressage world rankings.

But she is mindful that the unique conditions surrounding the dressage competition - which is set to get underway with qualification tomorrow (July 24) at Equestrian Park - make it unpredictable.

"We are without spectators, and I think it's more difficult for the horses to come in without the crowd," Werth said.

The reduced schedule over the past year, due to COVID-19, has made it difficult for riders to prepare.

"Last year we had maybe just one or two shows at the end," she said. "It was a bit difficult to know how to prepare the horses in competition, how you can plan. I think that was the biggest challenge."

Werth’s main rivals in the dressage competitions, which run from tomorrow until July 28, will be Britain’s three-times Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin and the British team.

Dressage is set to be followed by eventing from July 30 to August 2, with Britain’s Oliver Townend, the world number one, likely to start as favourite.

Three-time Olympic champion Michael Jung of Germany will also be a contender in both the individual and team events.

Finally, the competition at Equestrian Park is scheduled to conclude with jumping from August 3 to 7, when Peder Fredricson of Sweden will be looking to go one better than the silver medals he won at Athens 2004 and Rio 2016.