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Samantha Clark
Achievements

About Samantha Clark
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Amber Levine puts the brakes on the Alliston train!
James Alliston gets off to a good start winning the CCI*
James Alliston gets off to a good start, winning the CCI*
Final Horse Inspection at Galway Downs
All the horses presented in the FEI divisions this morning, and there were far fewer than at the First Horse Inspection, were accepted to go forward to the show-jumping but for Maria Schatz and Joe in the CCI*, and Pam Fisher’s Sea Lion and Sandra Donnelly’s Buenos Aires in the CCI***. As the rain begins to fall once again on the stadium arena, I’ll be trying to bring you quick updates from each division during the day, and lots of photos later from the airport! In some good news, I did catch up with Tamra Smith quickly at the jog, although Heather Morris trotted up her CCI* horse Top Secret. Tamra was moving rather gingerly, and told me she’s stiff and sore, especially in her neck, but that she was thoroughly checked out by the doctor and she hopes to jump. Mar De Amor, she said, is doing much better than she is, which is wonderful to hear, and we wish them both a speedy recovery.
Final Horse Inspection at Galway Downs
All the horses presented in the FEI divisions this morning, and there were far fewer than at the First Horse Inspection, were accepted to go forward to the show-jumping but for Maria Schatz and Joe in the CCI*, and Pam Fisher’s Sea Lion and Sandra Donnelly’s Buenos Aires in the CCI***. As the rain begins to fall once again on the stadium arena, I’ll be trying to bring you quick updates from each division during the day, and lots of photos later from the airport! In some good news, I did catch up with Tamra Smith quickly at the jog, although Heather Morris trotted up her CCI* horse Top Secret. Tamra was moving rather gingerly, and told me she’s stiff and sore, especially in her neck, but that she was thoroughly checked out by the doctor and she hopes to jump. Mar De Amor, she said, is doing much better than she is, which is wonderful to hear, and we wish them both a speedy recovery.
James Alliston reflects on a busy XC day at Galway Downs
Despite a consistent record and two impressive rides at Rolex this spring, James Alliston has managed to stay somewhat under the radar – until Saturday! After four double clear cross country rounds, two in the CCI*** and snatching the overnight lead away from the East Coast pretenders, (!) everyone wanted a piece of James Saturday afternoon. I think I can safely say James charmed everyone at the press conference, and we’ll all be hoping to see lots more of him.
A snippet of the Galway Downs CCI** Cross Country Action
Nate Chambers and his relationship with Rolling Stone
James Alliston reflects on a busy XC day at Galway Downs
Despite a consistent record, and two impressive rides at Rolex this spring, James Alliston has managed to stay somewhat under the radar – until today! After four double clear cross country rounds, two in the CCI*** and snatching the overnight lead away from the East Coast pretenders, (!) everyone wanted a piece of James this afternoon. I think I can safely say James charmed everyone at the press conference, and we’ll all be hoping to see lots more of him.
Galway Downs CCI*** Cross Country Wrap Up
Let’s meet Becca Braitling
I’m learning never to ignore anything Dr Laura Werner tells me. Now based at Hagyard Equine Hospital in Lexington, she’s a California girl at heart and when she heard I was coming to Galway told me I must meet Bec Braitling. Mission accomplished, and as usual Laura was right. I loved Becca, was so glad to have met her, and thrilled to bump into her later at the press conference after she moved into second place in the training three day after cross country: EN karma + hard work, talent + a tiny bit of luck = can’t be beat!
Galway Downs CCI* Cross Country – but wait, there’s more!
A snippet of the Galway Downs CCI** Cross Country Action
Reasons for running late tonight…
I was working away at the press office earlier this evening when I received a short text from Chelan Kozak; only three words it read, “Margaritas Barn 12”. That’s a message that can’t be ignored, as we like to say in England, “it would be rude not to!”, so hotfooted it up there as fast as possible. I am glad to tell you that I have now met the infamous EN hero, who goes by the name of Clay, travels with his own ‘margarator’, and makes a damn fine cocktail! So fine that when I gave James Alliston’s mother, Petey a taste, she decided she’d better have one of her own, so we returned to Barn 12 together. Petey told me she’d never had a margarita before, but thinks it might now be her favourite tipple!
Galway Downs CCI*** Cross Country Wrap up
Let’s meet Becca Braitling
I’m learning never to ignore anything Dr Laura Werner tells me. Now based at Hagyard Equine Hospital in Lexington, she’s a California girl at heart and when she heard I was coming to Galway told me I must meet Bec Braitling. Mission accomplished, and as usual Laura was right. I loved Becca, was so glad to have met her, and thrilled to bump into her later at the press conference after she moved into second place in the training three day after cross country: EN karma + hard work, talent + a tiny bit of luck = can’t be beat!
Reasons for running late tonight…
I was working away at the press office earlier this evening when I received a short text from Chelan Kozak; only three words it read, “Margeritas Barn 12”. That’s a message that can’t be ignored, as we like to say in England, “it would be rude not to!”, so hotfooted it up there as fast as possible. I am glad to tell you that I have now met the infamous EN hero, who goes by the name of Clay, travels with his own ‘margerator’, and makes a damn fine cocktail! So fine that when I gave James Alliston’s mother, Petey a taste, she decided she’d better have one of her own, so we returned to Barn 12 together. Petey told me she’d never had a margerita before, but thinks it might now be her favourite tipple!
Galway Downs CCI*** Cross Country Day
Well, at least no-one’s talking about the weather anymore! Conditions have been perfect out on Ian Stark’s CCI*** course but problems were commonplace and spread fairly evenly. I can’t pretend not to be delighted for James Alliston who’s been a model of consistency all weekend and takes over the lead, although I wish it hadn’t come at Buck Davidson’s expense. Titanium may be some small compensation for Buck’s not a great day, a fall off Park Trader at the last water, and a refusal at the corner after the table, fence 24b on dressage leader Ballynoe Castle RM. Nate Chambers moves up into second place with a reliable clear within the time on his partner of 11 years Rolling Stone.
Galway Downs CCI*** Cross Country Day
Well, at least no-one’s talking about the weather anymore! Conditions have been perfect out on Ian Stark’s CCI*** course but problems were commonplace and spread fairly evenly. I can’t pretend not to be delighted for James Alliston who’s been a model of consistency all weekend and takes over the lead, although I wish it hadn’t come at Buck Davidson’s expense. Titanium may be some small compensation for Buck’s not a great day, a fall off Park Trader at the last water, and a refusal at the corner after the table, fence 24b on dressage leader Ballynoe Castle RM. Nate Chambers moves up into second place with a reliable clear within the time on his partner of 11 years Rolling Stone.
Galway CCI** Update
By virtue of clear jumping rounds cross country within the time, Amber Levine cemented her tied lead after the dressage on Oz Proof of Purchase, and Hawley Bennet-Awad moved into second place on SplendoroftheSun. Two time penalties dropped Max McManamy down two places to overnight 3rd place, but she said she was thrilled with her ride on Project Runway (video to come later), and James Alliston moved up into fourth place with a fast clear on Tivoli. The conditions are fabulous – the footing is perfect, the sun is out but it’s not too hot at all and there’s still a brisk breeze. I’d write more, in fact I’d write all day, but CCI*** is set to begin in minutes and I want to bring you all the action. You can check scores here, and follow @galwaydowns on twitter for live action updates. More later, Go eventing!
Galway CCI** update
By virtue of clear jumping rounds cross country within the time, Amber Levine cemented her tied lead after the dressage on Oz Proof of Purchase, and Hawley Bennet-Awad moved into second place on SplendoroftheSun. Two time penalties dropped Max McManamy down two places to overnight 3rd place, but she said she was thrilled with her ride on Project Runway (video to come later), and James Alliston moved up into fourth place with a fast clear on Tivoli. The conditions are fabulous – the footing is perfect, the sun is out but it’s not too hot at all and there’s still a brisk breeze. I’d write more, in fact I’d write all day, but CCI*** is set to begin in minutes and I want to bring you all the action. You can check scores here, and follow @galwaydowns on twitter for live action updates. More later, Go eventing!