Her demise wasn't as pronounced as that of teammate Andrew Nicholson. Instead, Heelan Tompkins endured a more gradual slide towards the tail of the three-day eventing field.
New Zealand's best performed rider in Greece four years ago, her second Olympics were far less fulfilling although Tompkins thought the experience with Sugoi could mark the start of a productive partnership.
Tompkins, seventh in Athens on Glengarrick, ended up the backmarker at Beijing's equestrian outpost at Sha Tin, as her 12-year-old gelding struggled to cope with each of the three disciplines.
A distant 49th after the dressage, Tompkins' scores were destined to be discarded for the remainder of the competition even when Nicholson's dramatic elimination when falling in the cross country reduced New Zealand to a quartet.
The three best scores counted towards the team tally, leaving Caroline Powell, Mark Todd and Joe Meyer to cobble together a total that ultimately consigned New Zealand to a disappointing fifth last night.
Tompkins placed 50th in a field reduced to 55 by eliminations, medical issues and the post-competition disqualification of American Phillip Dutton for equipping his mount Connaught with illegal apparatus.
Tompkins' dressage woes were compounded by two runs out and time penalties during the cross country while last night Sugoi dislodged two showjumping rails to end up with a score of 138.80.
"I've learnt a lot about the horse. It's a shame I had to learn about him here," said Tompkins, who also pointed a finger of blame at herself.
"He was fine. I gave him some average rides and some good rides, he's a good showjumper and he had a lot of run left in him (after the cross country).
"The mistakes I made out there (showjumping) were because I was a bit choky on him.
"I can't fault the horse over the week, he's been himself and I've been perhaps trying to ride him like another horse.
"I like him a whole more after this event. I'm excited about what lies ahead."
Tompkins acquired Sugoi a year ago, so their relationship is still in its infancy.
"When I came out of the cross country I was disappointed and then you analyse everything ... he's very green for this.
"He's done a hell of a lot in a short time."
Tompkins equated her predicament to what teammates Meyer and Powell felt at the World Games in Germany two years ago, where they were still developing Snip and Lenamore respectively.
"It gives me heart to think where they were at the worlds. Maybe I feel where they were."
Tompkins admitted she had had a change of heart over Sugoi despite their lowly finish.
"Originally we were meant to sell him, I just want to keep him now. I need to learn to ride him and learn to love him."
Like Todd and Gandalf, she is targeting the 2010 World Games in the United States.
"I'll make a plan for what I think I have to do to be competitive," said Tompkins, who heads to Beijing on Saturday to watch some other New Zealanders in Games action.
