Postcard from the Virgin Islands

Hard to believe as I write this post that it is snowing back at home in England! Not that it has all been sitting on the beach and swimming in the sea... I flew by seaplane over to St Croix for a couple of days to meet up with the VI National Paralympic Committee and VI Equestrian Association to exchange updates. Regine Fitzner has been to so many meetings last year on behalf of the NPC as well as the VIEA, including the FEI meeting in Baku when the new FEI president was voted in and Princess Haya retired so there has been a lot of news to catch up on!! We went to see the Saturday morning group of pony club members - unfortunately they weren't riding  but all working on a large paper mache pony for the upcoming Agricultural Fair instead.  Regine has an FEI delegate coming over  in June to see what they can do to assist & improve the riding facilities in the Virgin Islands... and there is a whisper of trying to get some interest in starting up a vaulting group. Despite the islands being fairly small it is still difficult to get everyone working together but Regine has the enthusiasm and drive to pull it off with a little help from her friends! Added to that the VI now has a para sailing team - currently competing in Miami, and a runner who is hoping to be accepted at this summer's Para Pan Games in Toronto! Exciting times ahead for the islands...
We also got down to mapping out some potential international competitions in addition to the three being held in the UK this year.  If all goes to plan will be aiming for Belgium in April and following this wonderful break in the sun I will be back training hard when I get back to England - weather permitting!