In the middle of January I flew out to Miami for the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. We jumped there for three weeks and all three horses, Don, Walnut and Emerald, jumped fantastic. Between the 3 of them they only had three fences down the entire time. All of them in the jump offs.

On the 17th of February I flew back and then went up to Gothenburg for the World Cup. We needed just a single point in Gothenburg to qualify for the final, but that's easier said than done. We didn't get the point in the end, but that's just the way it goes sometimes. Now I'm flying back again to Miami with Don, Walnut and Enjoy Louis for the last two weeks of WEF. Hoping to continue in America where we left off.

Oh, a word of warning to everyone and a reminder to myself, DO NOT PUT YOUR PASSPORT THROUGH THE WASHER AND DRYER!! Especially not two weeks before you fly to America. This was not the best idea I've ever had. It was not easy getting it back in time to be able to fly today. Without Nena ( Verlooy) and my parents it would have been impossible.

Yesterday was packing day (always stressful for me). When I have to pack to go to America with 3 horses, my home groom, Tamiles, is packing to go to S'Hertogenbosch with three horses for Harrie and we have 6 horses coming back from Vilamoura it felt like complete chaos. Riding, packing, people coming around, the vet. It just seemed as though the day never got started and then it seemed like it would never end. One of those nightmare days!!

When packing for flying I remember working for Whitaker's. Week in, week out with 6 horses and stuff for 2 riders, away for a month at a time, you learn to make the most of a limited amount of space.

Once everything is packed the 2 trunks, grooming box, forks some buckets and my bag will all go with the cargo and hay nets, feed and water buckets, flight bags and water containers will all go with the horses. Once all of that is in with the horses, space in a word is at a premium.

When you send your clothes with the cargo it's best to remember you won't get the cargo for a few days. So for me last time shopping became necessary. Another smart idea of mine!!

When flying horses there's a lot of waiting around. They got loaded on the containers at 10.30 this morning and we don't take off until 2. So they'll be waiting a while. It'll turn out to be a very long day for all of us. Luckily my horses are frequent flyers so there used to it and stay pretty relaxed.

Once everything is loaded I need to check myself in through the normal passenger terminal. Turns into a great opportunity for me to take a little advantage of the duty free.

The horses are all loaded on the plane. A few final checks and the plane is ready to go. Once we land and the horses are off loaded I won't see them for a few days due to the quarantine rules. So I'll have a few days to get organised at the show and maybe work on my farmers tan.

So bye bye Europe and hello Florida!!!

Alex