Olympic preparations and autumn plan

Congratulations to Kazu on his selection for Tokyo, he has been nominated into the Japanese team of 3 and he really deserves his place. 

Obviously tension is building here, the Olympics is in under three weeks and quarantine is starting this current weekend.  We are all tightening our belts because his quarantine is happening at Wood Lane Stables and we are part of his bubble, so fingers crossed we have no Covid victims in the next few weeks.  Kazu has had all his last events now so is really focusing on preparation and fitness, and poor Vinci de la Vigne is working laden with rugs to give him some idea of heat in this particularly chilly July.  In fact the weather could not be worse in preparing to compete in the climate that we are going to meet in Tokyo, 

On a personal level I have remained as one of the reserves for Team GB.  I am only 4^th reserve so it is very unlikely I will get the call up in the next week, but you never know so poor Little Fire is working hard and getting fitter.  I am really hoping that our big target is going to be the Europeans in Avranche in September.   It is great news that Bicton have been allocated Burghley’s 5* weekend.  They did such a good job a few weeks ago they really deserved the FEI’s backing.  I am very much hoping to compete there. There’s talk about going back to America for the Maryland 5* in October but that was very funding dependent so I think Bicton could be a good bet as an alternative for Oratorio.  I am thinking I will probably still aim Grafennacht for another 4*L at the new Jockey Club Blenheim in September.