It has been a difficult year for Rhapsody and me and in some ways I am not sad to see the end of it! It was of course more than adequately redeemed by a great experience at Rio 2016 Paralympics as USVI Chef de Mission but nonetheless it has been a rollercoaster of a year.
First the bitter disappointment of not qualifying myself for Rio by 0.14% and what can only be described as dubious judging? ...35 marks difference in the marks by one judge.. really? I am still reeling over that! Then a 16 hour journey home from the Netherlands while migrants managed to close the port of Calais in front of our eyes - literally - by storming our ferry! At least our trip across the channel to Belgium in April was less eventful and gave me lots of satisfaction with the way Rhapsody went - maybe it was because the pressure was off but I was smiling from start to finish in all our tests....
After a llittle holiday for both of us things just didn't go to plan. One thing after another with Rhapsody's work and preparation meant that we missed Hartpury which was very disappointing. I also felt that something was not quite right with Rhaps - Gill Maybury Chiropractor always regularly checks him and all was fine... Ellie Martin, saddler, came and was happy that there were no issues with his saddle and a visit from Stephen Brooks, my vet, to thoroughly check him out for soundness and any other obvious issues including blood tests didn't really reveal any thing specific. On vet's advice I put him on a supplement to boost his energy levels... it helped but I was still not happy.
For no particular reason I suspected he possibly had had a low level virus at some stage - no clinical signs - but he felt laboured in his work and being the character he is he would always try his hardest. Recent blood tests have come back clear (thankfully) and so we decided to scope him... this was a step into the unknown for me - never having had a horse scoped before! As a result we have put him on a natural respiratory supplement as it showed he had some slight congestion - possibly the result of a low grade virus which never showed any signs but this is just my supposition - still I am so pleased that he is getting back to his old dragon self again! And a joy to ride.... he makes me smile every day!
While Rhapsody has been getting back to fitness this year I have also been working hard on my own. This time last year I was in so much pain riding I could not see much future past Rio... if I was lucky enough to qualify [sic] . Luckily I was paired with a sympathetic and realistic physiotherapist who turned it all around for me. I am now doing 3 gym classes a week and the difference has been amazing which gives me some hope to be able to carry on riding for a bit longer yet!
It is hard to believe that we have not competed since April... but I cannot wait to get back into that arena and making plans! Also new para tests for 2017 - hallelujah!! Lots to work for next year....
Merry Christmas eveyone and wishing you all a happy and successful New Year from Rhaps and me! I hope to see you in 2017!!
First the bitter disappointment of not qualifying myself for Rio by 0.14% and what can only be described as dubious judging? ...35 marks difference in the marks by one judge.. really? I am still reeling over that! Then a 16 hour journey home from the Netherlands while migrants managed to close the port of Calais in front of our eyes - literally - by storming our ferry! At least our trip across the channel to Belgium in April was less eventful and gave me lots of satisfaction with the way Rhapsody went - maybe it was because the pressure was off but I was smiling from start to finish in all our tests....
After a llittle holiday for both of us things just didn't go to plan. One thing after another with Rhapsody's work and preparation meant that we missed Hartpury which was very disappointing. I also felt that something was not quite right with Rhaps - Gill Maybury Chiropractor always regularly checks him and all was fine... Ellie Martin, saddler, came and was happy that there were no issues with his saddle and a visit from Stephen Brooks, my vet, to thoroughly check him out for soundness and any other obvious issues including blood tests didn't really reveal any thing specific. On vet's advice I put him on a supplement to boost his energy levels... it helped but I was still not happy.
For no particular reason I suspected he possibly had had a low level virus at some stage - no clinical signs - but he felt laboured in his work and being the character he is he would always try his hardest. Recent blood tests have come back clear (thankfully) and so we decided to scope him... this was a step into the unknown for me - never having had a horse scoped before! As a result we have put him on a natural respiratory supplement as it showed he had some slight congestion - possibly the result of a low grade virus which never showed any signs but this is just my supposition - still I am so pleased that he is getting back to his old dragon self again! And a joy to ride.... he makes me smile every day!
While Rhapsody has been getting back to fitness this year I have also been working hard on my own. This time last year I was in so much pain riding I could not see much future past Rio... if I was lucky enough to qualify [sic] . Luckily I was paired with a sympathetic and realistic physiotherapist who turned it all around for me. I am now doing 3 gym classes a week and the difference has been amazing which gives me some hope to be able to carry on riding for a bit longer yet!
It is hard to believe that we have not competed since April... but I cannot wait to get back into that arena and making plans! Also new para tests for 2017 - hallelujah!! Lots to work for next year....
Merry Christmas eveyone and wishing you all a happy and successful New Year from Rhaps and me! I hope to see you in 2017!!
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