Have you ever wondered what it is like to train for the Olympics? Is it filled with glamour and excitement, or the continuation of a lifetime of training? It's probably a little of both.

Tropical Rider is pleased to present this behind the scenes glimpse on the road to Athens as Kevin Babington prepares for his first Olympics.

Kevin is currently in Europe to prepare to ride for the Irish team. He has his trusty partner Carling King-the fabulously talented chestnut gelding owned by Saly Glassman and Kindle Hill Farm.

The duo has had a great year so far with victories in three grand prix, including the $125,000 La Baule Grand Prix in France.

Log on each week to get the inside story on Carling King and Kevin as they prepare for Athens.

Pam:
Kevin's 16-month-old daughter Gwyneth called me from Lake Placid this morning on her mother's cell phone. Diana was able to get the phone away from her daughter and reported that Kevin and King are doing well.

Kevin is keeping things low key so that King remains quiet and relaxed before Aachen. The focus is on flatwork right now so that King rocks back and uses his hocks.

Diana (Kevin's Wife):
King has acquired a number of fans of his five years as a grand prix horse. He's known as the lovable grouch around the barn. He will frisk you for treats-if you don't have any he will just walk away and ignore you. Just before the Nations Cup King was very friendly-he was resting his head on his groom and being extremely lovable. We knew there was something wrong! It turns out he had a touch of colic; he's fine, but we knew he wasn't himself.

Kevin:
There's not a lot else to report-I'm a bit boring. My horse has matured a lot and understands his job. My goal is maintaining him and keeping him relaxed.

Pam:
Kevin is going horse shopping today so Diana is expecting something out of the ordinary to happen-just like usual.

Log on next week for a report on horse shopping and more!!!

Dianna (Kevin’s wife) sends this update on Carling King’s schedule prior to the Games July 28, 2004 :

King’s last show before the Games was Hickstead. He is resting and having some time out in the field in England before he goes into final preparations. “It will do him good to get his had on some grass,” Kevin said

Kevin did not defend his King George Cup Title at Hickstead because he has been resting King since his final Nations Cup performance (where he jumped clear in the first round) the Friday before.

He (King) will base in England and then will travel to Germany for a few days before he ships to Athens. He remains in grumpy form, which is always a good thing.

From Dianna on August 14, 2004:

The final week before King left for Athens (which was yesterday by the way) was spent training in several different locations throughout England to recreate what is expected (to the best of the team's estimation) at the Games. King has been in great form lately.

At Hickstead, which was his last show, he was "clear and 16" in the Nation's Cup. The reason for the disappointing second round was a huge open cut/sore in King's mouth. By the second round it was open and bleeding so Kevin had nothing in the bridle. The horse "wouldn't take his hand" so thus no rideability. He is strong to begin with could you imagine trying to ride him around a course under those conditions??? Not fun!  

After Hickstead he rested for a few days, was put out on grass, and then brought back to work in a hackamore so his mouth would heal. The mouth is all healed, there has been an equipment change, and he has been working really well all this past week and is very fit. Kevin has left England and will rejoin his teammates in Dublin where they will all fly together to Athens. Blake, Kevin's groom has flown over with King and will keep him relaxed on the plane as they make their journey.