New Year Report 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !

We are looking forward to a very exciting 2008 Eventing Season with all the horses getting set for some fantastic performances right from the out set.

 

The Tapner Family have enjoyed themselves in the sun in Australia and are now busy planning for the upcoming season, you will be contacted shortly to discuss the competition plans for your horse for 2008.

 

Obviously with 2008 being an Olympic year there will be many an eye being kept on Jenny Waaler’s “Inonothing” who is currently in contention for the Australian squad. The Olympic selection process seems to be the most FAQ at the moment and so please read on to clarify what the process will be.

 

The next announcement of the Australian Elite squad, which is once again the Australian Olympic Long List will be on the 26 th of January. We have been advised that Paul will be on this list of 12 riders.

 

From this list the Olympic team of 5 riders and up to 3 reserves will be announced on the 4 th July. These riders will then be required to compete in a designated competition in the UK (usually Aston Le Walls ODE) some time close to the 20 th of July. These riders will then be required to go into a training camp that is also a termed a PEQ = Pre Export Quarantine. The PEQ is for 7 days and will be in the UK, the Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA) is trying to find a suitable venue now that will be, conveniently for us, in our area.

 

The final team of 5 riders to travel to the Olympics will ultimately be determined at the end of this PEQ upon export to Hong Kong. The Team will fly direct from the UK to Hong Kong sometime between the dates of 27 th and 31 st July. The EFA have requested to fly on the 31 st of July but this date will not be confirmed till closer the time. There is no travelling reserve, only the team of 5 riders will fly to Hong Kong and all 5 will compete. The horses will be in Hong Kong 7 to 10 days before the start of the competition.

 

The 8 th of August is the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and is also the first day of competition for the Eventing with the 1st Horse Inspection being held at 4pm. The Eventing Team and Individual Dressage will take place on the 9 th and 10 th of August. The Cross Country phase for both team and individuals will take place on the 11th August. The 12 th of August will see the Eventing Final Horse Inspection and both team and individual Eventing Show jumping.

 

Should Paul and Mannie be fortunate enough to be selected for the Olympics, the only major UK competitions that Paul will be forced to miss are the National ODE Championships at Gatcombe Park and Hartpury International One and Two Star Three Day Event.

 

Obviously it is difficult to plan around that time of year given the short notice which is given to the team members as to their inclusion on the Olympic squad. But as this is the pinnacle to which we all aspire for our horses we are sure that we will have all of our owners and clients support and understanding during this period.

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 2008 COMPETITION SEASON FOR ALL OUR HORSES !