Marina Parris-Woodhead and her stallion, Pandorra, who live and train part-time in Wallowa County, are moving closer to the goal of competing on the US equestrian team in the 2012 Olympics in London this summer.

The team has been competing in Florida dressage competitions with very good results.

Im proud to announce that Pandorra and I are listed as one of the 43 combinations to apply for the 2012 US Olympic Team, Marina reported in a March 28 e-mail to the Chieftain.

The final Olympic qualifying competitions are scheduled in May.

Marina said that they won the Grand Prix Open at the Florida Dressage Classic Feb. 19 and then placed fourth in the International Grand Prix Freestyle at the CD13* International Horse Sport Champions Cup March 25. They were the highest placed American team, behind German, Denmark and Canadian competitors.

The Freestyle event is a performance of required movements choreographed to music, Marina explained. My Freestyle is based around the music Set Fire to the Rain by Adele, which is used for the passage work, she said. A beautiful piano version for our walk work didnt fail to invoke emotions from the crowds and a couple of the judges.

Marina said that she was planning to go to her farm in Pleasant Hill, Mo., for the month of April to continue fine tuning competitive skills and ongoing strength training for Pandorra.

A horse competing at this level of the sport requires a tremendous amount of strength, without losing suppleness and precision training, while maintaining peace of mind, Marina said.

She said that her Missouri farm offers a less hectic environment, that will keep her equine partner fresh for their next competitions the final Olympics qualifiers in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lexington, Ky.

Please express my appreciation for all the support from my Wallowa County friends, Marina said in her e-mail. Although an amazing journey, the process can be quite stressful, and its the financial and emotional support of sponsors, clients, family and friends that make it all possible. Its an entire community effort to be successful in the pursuit of Olympic goals that, in turn, represent our community.