Riding with nothing to lose

2008-09-02T08:20:00Z

Singapore Paralympian rider Laurentia Tan arrives in Hong Kong.

Laurentia Tan,28, is an equestrian dressage rider for Team Singapore. She lives in England where she trains with her horse called Nothing To Lose, also nicknamed Harvey. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and profound deafness as a child.

Competing with Nothing To Lose.
Handout: Laurentia Tan

In Hong Kong

Day One: August 27th

WE arrived in Hong Kong at about 3pm and was transported in a big coach meant for 49 people, to our temporary hotel for that night. After checking in, we went straight to the stables to meet Caroline (Harvey's groom) and welcome my lovely horse.

After a bit of delay, Harvey arrived but it wasn't the arrival I'd hoped for.

As soon as he went in to his stable, he was so restless and neighing really loud calling for Youri, who had been quarantined and travelling with him. He's never like this and it was rather unnerving to watch.

Arrangements were made to have Youri, his new friend from Ireland, to be stabled next to Harvey. Once they were together, both horses quickly settled down and seemed happy. It was nice to see the teams for Hong Kong, Great Britian and Ireland - with whom the Singapore Team are all familiar with - as we are stabled together in the same block.

I was very exhausted by the time Harvey arrived, especially with all the walking in the airport and getting to the stables. My trainer Penny suggested that we go back to the hotel first, but we'd missed the last 7pm coach back to the hotel. We finally sat down for dinner at 9pm!

After dinner, we went to our rooms to try on our new outfits and official attire. It's so exciting and we were like three kids opening Christmas presents... and comparing how tight our trousers are!

Day Two: August 28th

I ONLY managed to sleep for four hours, and while everyone went to the stables after breakfast, I stayed in the hotel to rest. I managed to catch up on my sleep for a bit when the news came from the stables that all was well. We then checked out of the temporary hotel to transfer to the Paralympic Village.

By the time we settled in, it was nearly 4pm and I was starting to feel exhausted again. So I opted for an early night.

No Harvey time today.

Day Three: August 29th

PENNY, my trainer, left for the stables early this morning to give Harvey a little light physiotherapy with the muscle stimulator (not with her own hands). He seemed quite tight behind the saddle. His groom Caroline walked him out around the race track and let him have a pick at some grass.

Harvey was booked-in for a ride at 4.30pm, the first since his arrival. Although he started a little stiffly in his walk, Caroline soon had him walking out really well. After a brief trot, Harvey felt a little stiff again, so we arranged for a physiotherapist to look at him at 8.00am tomorrow. Hopefully, the physio will help loosen him up.

After the ride, Harvey was taken to the misting tent where he seemed to enjoy a cool shower and a wash down with cold water. Later, he was led around the competition arena where he behaved beautifully despite all the distractions. Harvey was so calm that another competitor asked for Harvey to give him a lead round the arena which he did like a pro.

Laurentia will be blogging for The Straits Times when the Paralympics kick off on Saturday. Her events will be on Tuesday, September 9 (Individual Championship Test) and Thursday September 11 (Individual Freestyle Test).

The Straits Times Blogs - Laurentia Tan

Riding with nothing to lose