The designer of the Olympic equestrian course in Greenwich Park says she is thinking of retiring as she is sure she will never do anything as good again.

Sue Benson, from Eastcott, near Devizes, says she has been overwhelmed with letters, cards, flowers and email messages of gratitude from riders and spectators who participated in the Olympic three-day event.

It is a huge relief for Mrs Benson, who has been one of the world’s most noted course designers for two decades. The former international event rider was awarded the contract to deliver the course six years ago and it has been a roller-coaster ride ever since.

She said: “Before I was given the job I went to Greenwich Park with my husband David and I was struck by the difficulties – or challenges – of the park.

“But the more I looked at it, the more inspired I became.”

The park is relatively small as equestrian locations go and has some fairly steep hills. Mrs Benson’s challenge was to create a course that was challenging for elite riders but not so difficult for less experienced teams that it would put them off competing in future years.

Mrs Benson said: “Also it is a royal park, so we could not damage it in any way. And it had to be good for spectators, TV cameras and, of course, competitors. It was incredibly stressful.”

The weather provided another challenge. With just three weeks for the building team of London Eventing to install the jumps on saturated ground, every day brought more worries and more problems.

She said: “It rained every day of those three weeks and there was water lying in puddles on the grass, but the team got the job done and I am so grateful to them.”

Now the competition is over and Mrs Benson has had nothing but praise, she is evaluating her future. She said: “I will never do anything as good ever again, so I am seriously thinking about retiring. I have contracts for two more years in Holland, but after that, who knows?”

Mr and Mrs Benson came to live in Eastcott in 1980, the year after they were married, and have never thought of moving. Mrs Benson said: “It is perfect for horses and it is such lovely country round here.”