Hard to believe that it’s nearly the end of another year! Incredibly we have been to four internationals in 2015 and I am not bankrupt yet thanks to some generous funding from the Prior Family Trust in the Virgin Islands and a well-timed tax refund! Every international is a tremendous opportunity to gain experience not only for riding the tests in a competitive arena but also developing the most suitable feeding programme, preparation planning and warm up routine. We have a great time too!
Plans are well underway now for the next 3* competition in The Netherlands in January…. Vet check booked, hire lorry booked, hotel booked and ferry booked – have I forgotten anything? December is always a difficult month to get consistent work into Rhaps with the short days but we have gotten through it and looking forward to extra time over the Christmas break to get back in the groove. With a stroke of brilliant timing Rhaps is going to train with Andrew J Murphy the first week of January to set him up nicely for the competition and to give me a little break during the week to get organised before I join them at the weekend!
Despite none of us knowing yet who will qualify for Rio, the deadlines are nonetheless stacking up… the first being to give detailed lists of all feed, medicines, vet supplies and supplements that would need to be imported into Brazil so their government can give approval for import licences by the end of December. If it is not on the form you won’t be able to take it – so drawing up a meticulous list to send out before the new year. Keeping track of all the deadlines is a real headache so will also be marking my calendar with all the critical dates during time off for the holidays.
Our qualification to Rio will be dependant upon what teams are in the top 7 overall... I am reliant on either Canada or the USA to get themselves in the top 7 following the two competitions in Florida in January. That outcome is out of my hands so I - just - need to make sure I get the best possible results in the The Netherlands to ensure I am in the top 2 individual riders for the remaining nations in the 'Americas' section.
2016 is going to be an exciting year – and busy if we manage to qualify for Rio! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Rhapsody and I, sponsors and friends alike – through good times and bad! All to play for in January…. no pressure then!
Plans are well underway now for the next 3* competition in The Netherlands in January…. Vet check booked, hire lorry booked, hotel booked and ferry booked – have I forgotten anything? December is always a difficult month to get consistent work into Rhaps with the short days but we have gotten through it and looking forward to extra time over the Christmas break to get back in the groove. With a stroke of brilliant timing Rhaps is going to train with Andrew J Murphy the first week of January to set him up nicely for the competition and to give me a little break during the week to get organised before I join them at the weekend!
Despite none of us knowing yet who will qualify for Rio, the deadlines are nonetheless stacking up… the first being to give detailed lists of all feed, medicines, vet supplies and supplements that would need to be imported into Brazil so their government can give approval for import licences by the end of December. If it is not on the form you won’t be able to take it – so drawing up a meticulous list to send out before the new year. Keeping track of all the deadlines is a real headache so will also be marking my calendar with all the critical dates during time off for the holidays.
Our qualification to Rio will be dependant upon what teams are in the top 7 overall... I am reliant on either Canada or the USA to get themselves in the top 7 following the two competitions in Florida in January. That outcome is out of my hands so I - just - need to make sure I get the best possible results in the The Netherlands to ensure I am in the top 2 individual riders for the remaining nations in the 'Americas' section.
2016 is going to be an exciting year – and busy if we manage to qualify for Rio! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Rhapsody and I, sponsors and friends alike – through good times and bad! All to play for in January…. no pressure then!
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