So we are closing in on the end of the Para-Equestrian Dressage portion of the 2012 Paralympic Games, with only two Freestyles left for the U.S. to perform.

It has been an amazing experience for me so far and the icing on the cake would be a medal for our riders! We have come incredibly close on a few occasions but with two more opportunities we are still hopeful.

Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale were so close on Saturday but had to settle for fourth, not bad in your first Paralympic Games! They perform their Freestyle in just under three hours and having gotten so close the other day, Jon has a medal firmly set in his sights.

Richter has also gained celebrity status here as the most recognizable “friendly horse” on the venue. He has accompanied his teammates into the main arena for all their tests and been their rock providing some company in the vast arena. He has become the hit of the mixed zone with everyone wanting know more about him and if anything ever upsets him.

Jon’s answer to that is a firm, “no, you can take Richter anywhere he really doesn’t care about anything.”

Becca and Dale did their Freestyles this morning and showed marked improvement from their Individual Tests.

Dale has gotten better and better all week and certainly has gained valuable experience. It’s not easy to go from a 60% on the first day to a 69% in your third test but she has done it and that is a feat in and of itself.

Becca has been a true professional all week. She rode exceptionally in the Team Test to a solid fourth place finish. And was disappointed with her Individual Test but came back and didn’t blink an eye in her Freestyle. We all watched the remainder of the tests on tender hooks to see if she could keep her top placing, that she held much of the morning.

But as the final rotation came into the ring they just pushed ahead of her and she placed a valiant fifth. Ever the good sport she always kept a smile on her face saying regardless of her placing she was still happy with her improvement from the other day. Truly world class!

Donna does her Grade 1a Freestyle tomorrow and will also be looking to earn a spot on the podium. She is a formerly 2nd ranked wheelchair tennis player and runner-up at the U.S. Open so she knows how to win. I won’t be betting against her tomorrow!

I have also been teaching some of Team GB American phrases and so far the favorite is “Get up in their grill”.

Most conversations start with me being asked if I have “gotten up in someone’s grill”. The answer continues to be no which I think is disappointing to physio Sally.

Well that’s all for now. Best of luck to Jon and Donna!!!!!