Olivia Riding Towards 2012 Olympics
Seventeen-year-old event rider, Olivia Craddock, received confirmation last week that she and her six year old horse, Boherdeal Cruise, have been included in the first published list of horses and riders who are up for possible selection for the 2012 Olympics. Out of an original 14,500 hopefuls, 84 horses have been selected for this list, which includes top names such as Pippa Funnell. All these horses have had to meet strict criteria in terms of their successes during the 2008 eventing season and Olivia and Boherdeal Cruise have not only achieved the wins at novice level necessary to win her place now, she has also already achieved the criteria to keep him on the list until he is at least nine years old, having competed successfully at Intermediate level too.
Over the next two years the GB selectors will be watching Olivia’s progress carefully and, as a result of this selection, she will be invited to train at the highest level with some of the sport’s top competitors and instructors.
Looking ahead to next season first, however, Olivia’s aims are to secure a place on the Junior team for the European Championships and to do all of this whilst still studying hard for the A level grades she needs to go to university. She is an extremely busy and committed young lady!
Chris Allison
Published
10 November 2008
- Category
Sport
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