In 2010, Erica McKeever blogged for us about Sapphire’s preparation for the Alltech World Equestrian Games and gave Chronicle readers a glimpse into life behind the scenes for America’s favorite show jumper. As we look toward the 2012 Olympic Games, Erica gives us another peek into Sapphire’s world with her family and rider McLain Ward.

Sapphire, or Sara as we call her, is excited to be in Florida for WEF 2012. After a nine-month break from showing, she feels enthusiastic and happy to be here in Wellington.

After she injured her check ligament last March, McLain decided to give her the rest of the year off. After a nice long rest she came back into full work in September. McLain jumped her for the first time in mid-October, and after he finished he had a huge smile on his face, and asked why they all couldn’t feel like Sara! 

Since then she’s jumped several more times and each time shes been great. Every year is exciting but Olympic years are even more special. If everything goes according to plan, Sapphire will do the trials at the end of March. This will be McLain’s ninth Florida with Sara and their third Olympic trials together. So we are all looking forward to another exciting year!