Focussed Sonja's going for gold!

Albany's own 2008 Beijing Olympian Sonja Johnson is gearing up for a tilt at defending her silver medal at this year’s London Olympic Games.

The star dressage rider returned to Albany in December with her horses Illicit Liaison and Mojito after competing in the Eastern States and has already begun a strict training regime for the games.

The Summer Solstice at Centennial Oval over the weekend of January 21-22 was the first event Johnson’s horses competed in since late last year.

She said they could hardly contain their excitement.

“They were both like naughty little children let loose in a lolly shop because they were both so full of excitement at being out somewhere,” she said.

“It’s good they feel that well and that they’re enjoying life so much. I’m happier with them being like that than if they’re being really dull because then you worry you’ve overtrained them.”

Johnson said training would include a lot of showjumping events in an effort to build her horses’ fitness and strength.

They will then head to Victoria and NSW in April to compete in the Olympic selection events.

“I’m going over to do two competitions two weeks apart, but it’s four days travel to Melbourne with the horses and you want to get there a couple of days before, so that’s another week, then it’s four days home,” Johnson said.

“What is actually a two-week competition takes nearly four weeks.”

Despite the gruelling travel schedule, Johnson said she was focussed on what she had to achieve.

“My diary says 31st July – get medals,” she said.

And Johnson has her sights set on more international dressage success beyond London’s 2012 games.

“I’m definitely focusing on the world championships in Normandy, France, in 2014, and I think Rio De Janeiro as an Olympics will be one hell of a party,” she said.

“I would really like to have a crack at it, particularly as I have these two super horses.”

The team for London will be announced between June 18-22 and the horses of selected riders will fly out in early July.