A SOMERSET horse rider has her fingers crossed for the 2008 Olympics after qualifying at an event in Germany. Jo May, aged 38, hopes to ride her horse

A SOMERSET horse rider has her fingers crossed for the 2008 Olympics after qualifying at an event in Germany. Jo May, aged 38, hopes to ride her horse Faere Vision at the games, which will be held in Beijing, China. Jo, pictured left, who lives on her farm in West Stoughton, near Wedmore, came fourth in a three day event in Luhmuhlen earlier this month and said she was 'shattered but thrilled' after the 17-hour drive back. She said: "I have qualified for the Olympics which is obviously really exciting but a lot of things can happen between now and then. Sometimes horses go lame or riders have to drop out. A final list of entries will be drawn up early next year."Jo and her horse started their Olympic campaign earlier this year at the Badminton Horse Trials and ranked in the top 10 after a dressage event. But on day two Jo had to withdraw from the competition because of the hard ground conditions. The Wells-born rider set up her own livery and teaching yard in the early nineties and teaches riding at her farm and around the country. She started riding as a youngster when her family lived in the Caribbean. When the family moved to Hong Kong with her dad's job, Jo started riding polo ponies. After moving back to Somerset, Jo got her teaching qualification at Curland Equestrian Centre in Taunton and has lived in cider-country ever since. Jo always travels with her sister Alison, aged 42, who acts as the rider's groom. While away from home, competing in events, Jo's other sister Belinda, aged 39 looks after the farm.