I Think She's Ready!

So I think my little Java is ready to get the job done. So we cantered on Friday. The plan: 16km canter @ approx 22kph. MMmm. Miss Java started very nicely and we trotted around the 3km stubble field which has become very sandy since combining. However from that point it deteriated. She wanted to go faster and I wanted to start at around 18kph building up to a finishing pace of around 24kph. But Oh No... we should obviously be starting at 24kph! So Java being quite difficult to ride on occassions, and so it bagan- The Clash of The Titans!!!!!! After the 3rd loop of riding with all my mite trying not to use my hands and instead ride her from my backside I decided it was safer for everyone if we went back to school so picked a corner and did exactly that. Round and round in circles, changing reins and half halting, Java chomping at the bit getting crosser and crosser but I finally got her back in work mode and managed to get a nice canter back around the field and decided to call it a day. Mind you we went round and round in circles for so long that we still did 16km! I think its time and she is ready! She is like a raging bull- but in a good way with posistive vibes. I do think that when they are training like this they do get to the point where they question how long is it going to be before I get to put all this hard work into action. Bless her- she is not designed to stand in a field and have a chilled life! It would never have been right to keep her in a field even after her near miss with the almighty!
So its nearly only a week to go until we head for Dover where she will stay overnight at Parkers, who will be transporting them to Liege, where they will stay again in stables. I believe they will be loading onto the plane at around 3am and flying off on their 8hr flight on the big bird across the pond. They should arrive in Cincinnati on the same day (16th) and enter Post Arrival Quarantine (PAQ) for approximately 48hours. A set of bloodtests will be done on each horse and the results of these have to be received before they are signed out of PAQ and transported the final 70 miles to their home for the following 10days, The Kentucky Horse Park.
We should arrive prior to the horses on the 18th if everything goes to plan. Which of course it will!

Well done to everyone who completed the Robin Hood ride this weekend and Thank you to the organising committee. Comissorasions to those who didnt. It was tough on the horses.
See you later.
PS keep your questions coming!