Ann Romney 'excited' her horse Olympic-bound

(CNN) – Ann Romney will not be riding her dressage horse Rafalca at this summer's London Olympics, but she said Monday she was still proud to represent the United States in the global competition.

"I am so excited honestly to be able to represent the United States," Romney said in a radio interview with WJR's Frank Beckmann. "I have a horse that is going to be fighting for gold in London and I am very excited about that. Wow! It has been a dream of mine for a long, long time, ever since I was a little girl."

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Romney said she did ride Rafalca herself, but the level of competition in London was beyond her abilities.

"I do ride this horse, but not in competition," Romney, the wife of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, said Monday. "People say, 'Well you can ride at that level,' and I say, "Well…" It's like being the country club pro in one place, and then going to Wimbledon. You don't understand how professional these riders are that are riding at this level. It's quite competitive."

Rafalca earned a spot on the U.S. Equestrian Team on Saturday in the sport of dressage. The horse placed third in the Olympic Grand Prix Special Test, held Saturday in Gladstone, New Jersey. Rafalca scored an overall 73.169%, placing behind competitors Calecto V and Legolas, and ahead of nine others.

In her interview Monday, Romney also spoke about life on the campaign trail, saying she didn't mind the hoards of hecklers that have followed her husband's six-state, five day bus tour.

"It is what we love about America so I don't mind them," Romney said. "You know, they were shouting us down, trying to shout us down yesterday and I don't mind it. It is a great contrast about why we love this country and how hard people have to work to get to accomplish their dreams."

Asked if, as president, Mitt Romney and his family would take as many vacations as President Barack Obama, Romney responded with a laugh.

"I doubt that," she said. "Our vacations and our happiness comes from being with our children and our grandchildren."

Vacations, Romney explained, would likely take place at the family's own homes.

"We have our own places that we do that, and I'm assuming that we'll be doing the same," Romney said.

The Romney's own vacation homes in San Diego and on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

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