MINERAL WELLS, Texas —Clark Montgomery is making plans to travel to London where he'll participate in the Olympic games.
But arranging his travel itinerary is much more complicated than other athletes who must only worry that their shorts and shoes are packed.
Montgomery also has to find a way to get his 1,200-pound mount, Loughan Glen, across the Atlantic.
Shipping an Olympic-caliber horse overseas is not a simple task.
Montgomery said he wished it was as easy as wrapping his horse in bubble wrap and calling FedEx.
It's not.
“At this point it's all coming down to soundness. Everybody crosses their fingers that they ship well to the UK,” he said, adding that some horses can succumb to shipping sickness among other potential problems.
Half of his wish is met -- he will use Fed Ex to get his horse across the pond.
The prized animals will be accompanied by a team of veterinarians and grooms.
Except for a steep, quick takeoff and sudden landing, Montgomery said the experience for the horses isn't much different from riding in a trailer.
The horses are shipped in what amounts to extra-wide stalls, he said.
The equestrian teams get about 10 days in England to adjust to their new surroundings before the preliminary competition begins.
Competition at Barbury International Horse Trials will determine the five final horse-and-rider combinations to represent the U.S. eventing team.
Those that don't make the final five, remain and must be ready to step in if another horse can't compete.
The sport of eventing has three phases – dressage, cross country and show jumping.
Montgomery said he thinks his horse, Loughan Glen, is ready to compete.
“We got our stuff back together,” he said.
Sports
It’s not easy getting to the Games
- Sports
-
-
Pickleball league picks up speed
Dozens of people in Pryor are finding out how much fun “ping-pong on steroids” can be.
-
Pryor girls, boys hoops camps set for June
The Pryor boys and girls basketball teams will host hoops camps at the Burdick Center for elementary and junior high players throughout the month of June.
-
Tigers to open summer league May 28
Fresh off of a state quarterfinal appearance, the Pryor Tiger baseball team will open its month-long summer league slate at home against Coweta May 28.
-
The Porter Report
Don't ask if Westbrook would have made the difference in 2013. Ask how he will in 2014.
-
Olympians bring home 24 medals
The 12 Pryor Tigers who made the trek to Stillwater last week for the 44th edition of the Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games at Oklahoma State University brought home more than just big smiles — they brought home two dozen medals.
-
Hammock named 5A-4 pitcher of the year
Pryor senior Zack Hammock was named a co-pitcher of the year in District 5A-4 this week.
-
Gietzen, Webster named student athletes of the month
The April Yorktown Bank Athletes of the Month were Evan Gietzen and Katarina Webster.
-
The Porter Report
You may be looking at your calendar wondering what you are going to do with these three months of summer break. The answer? Plenty.
-
Tiger duo named to soccer all-state teams
Pryor seniors Jaclyn True and Ryan Pettus were named to the Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association East All-State squads last week, and seven more Tigers and Lady Tigers made their respective all-district teams.
-
Tiger frosh make big impact at state meet
Pryor freshmen Jaquwan Blaylock, Kendall Odle and Angie Gomez made some waves at last weekend's 5A state track meet at Yukon High School.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Pickleball league picks up speed
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
