Ksenia Jones explains the
facilities at Eyehorn Farm

by Lewis Dyson

A team of Russian horse riders is hoping that
Sittingbourne can be the launch pad for success at London 2012.

The Olympics hopefuls will make Eyehorn Farm, in Borden,
their base for the month leading up to the games.

Their steeds will be put through their paces at the 40,000sq ft
horse-breaking, training and rehab centre - which includes an
Olympic-sized indoor arena, an outdoor show jumping arena and horse
walker.

After training, they will even be pampered in equine
showers and special solariums.

The giant 'sunbeds' use ultraviolet lamps to dry the animals
after they have been washed, which is good for their skin and also
prevents them from catching cold.

Ksenia Jones with a horse
in the equestrian 'sunbed'

The farm is owned by Ksenia Jones and her husband Nick Dyshaev,
who live there with their two-year-old son.

Ksenia, whose father was English and mother Russian, said: "We
are delighted to be hosting the Olympic Russian equine team in the
run up to the London Olympics.

"We are less than an hour from Greenwich, where all equestrian
competitions are to take place, and we are perfectly located to
host them. It is an incredibly exciting time to cater for horses
and riders of such high calibre."

The couple took over the equestrian centre just over a year ago
and started to organise a bid to cater for the group soon
after.

As part of the process, they flew over to Moscow to give a
presentation in front of the Russian Equestrian Federation at their
own cost.

Eyehorn Farm will host
the Russian Olympic equestrian team

Mrs Jones added: "We've invested time and effort and funds into
it getting it to where it is now. We will either make a loss or
break even, however, it is a very good thing for us in terms of our
new yard and just to kick things off from there."

They are now putting the final touches to the property before
the arrival of their eastern European guests in June.

Mrs Jones, 35, added: "We are working with Kent Police to ensure
that extra security measures are provided."

After the games, they hope to convert Eyehorn Farm into horse
racing track.

The Russians will be hoping to pick up their first equestrian
medal, as an individual nation, of the modern Olympics.