Earlier this spring I started to get the feeling that Steph and Port Authority were going to do big things this year because they consistently had the fewest jumping penalties of anyone at the spring competitions. A few months later Steph placed 5th at Rolex, and a few months after that she was selected to Team Canada. Today, she coins a new phrase for us: Captain Canada. Please visit Steph’s website to learn more about her and be sure to check out her fundraising opportunities. The road to the WEGs is, if nothing else, expensive. Thanks for writing this Steph and thank you for reading.
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4
From Steph:
Well, we’ve made it one step closer to Kentucky. Ollie and I have officially been named to the Canadian Squad for the WEG’s. That looks pretty damn good on my computer screen right now!!! I’m very excited and very grateful for everything that has brought me here. “Here” is currently the kitchen in Max Corcoran’s wonderful little house on Ms. Mars’s gorgeous farm in Ocala, Florida.
Ollie settled in almost immediately after we got here Monday afternoon… He got out of the trailer, looked around, and started walking back out the driveway towards the farm across the street where we spent the last two winters!! But, we turned around and headed in to the big yellow barn where Ollie will be spending the next 10 days. He has a big, grassy paddock to spend the morning in, and a big airy stall to hang out in for the rest of the time. He should be very happy. And, me… Well, I got a seriously good deal on my Training Camp accomodations. The house is just a stone’s throw away from the barn, and is surrounded by paddocks, with the dressage arena just beyond one of the paddocks. Its pretty perfect.
This morning, Ollie got to see massage therapist Jo-Ann Wilson for the first time. I am so happy that we have someone like her as part of the team, and I really think she will make a big difference in my horse’s body over the next few days. It was very educational to have her running commentary as she went over each of them, explaining to us what tightness in certain areas can mean for the way a horse will move his body.
On Wednesday, we will each have a light dressage day with Captain Canada to get the week started… I think all of us are of the same mind that it is our job to get as much as possible out of ourselves and our horses in the dressage to start the competition out right.
All I can really say is that I’m taking today to just be super excited about being in this position….the game face can wait until tomorrow!!!
~Steph
