A win for Sam Watson Eventing and Imperial Sky in the CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk today. Never out of the top two their last six international events.
Posted by EquiRatings on Sunday, September 27, 2020
Team Equilume rider Sam Watson and Imperial Sky (Shibs Of Blue x Puissance) took home the top honors in the first Irish CCI4*L of the abbreviated 2020 season at Ballindenisk this past weekend. Consistency (as much of it as one can have this year, truthfully) has been key for this pair, which has not finished lower than second in their last six international events together.
It was a small yet mighty field for the CCI4*L, which also featured Sarah Ennis, Joseph Murphy, Cathal Daniels, and others. A dressage mark of 30.5 would give Sam and “Toby” the early edge, which would prove to be all they needed around a softer cross country track. Sam said he was a bit “ring rusty” in the show jumping, but the pair would finish the weekend on their dressage score to take home the win.
Ballindenisk is also a seemingly favored venue for the 14 year old Imperial Sky, who also won the long four-star here in April of 2019. He also won the then-CCI2* at Ballindenisk in 2013 as a seven year old.
Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (32.1) picked up the 11 year old Irish gelding’s best finish at the CCI4* level thus far with second place, followed by Camilla Spiers and Lukas (34.0), a 9 year old Irish gelding who also takes home his best finish at the level to date.
Take a gander through some action shots from the CCI4*L from this Irish Eventing Times social media post:
📷 CCI4*-LAll photos from Ballindenisk International (2) are being provided by Horse Sport Ireland. You are welcome to…
Posted by Irish Eventing Times on Monday, September 28, 2020
So what goes into a top rider such as Sam’s routine to take his horses into each event in top form? For starters, Sam has talked before about his use of Equilume on his competition horses. As we head into drearier weather (especially in Ireland!), natural light becomes harder to find enough of. Equilume’s stable lighting system and light masks offer an effective way to ensure each horse has proper light. You can hear Sam’s thoughts on using Equilume in this video:
The days are getting shorter and, even in August, we still get gloomy days. Check out the Equilume page or see posts below for a chance to WIN some of these game-changing lights. Brighten up your horses days (with more cost-effective lights than standard), and improve health and performance while you’re at. Quick wins and marginal gains people. Get them in before winter..!
Posted by Sam Watson Eventing on Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Equilume is an Irish equine biotech company providing scientifically validated lighting solutions to the global equine industry. Their patented blue light technology strengthens circadian rhythms and has profound effects on equine health and behaviour.
The Equilume Cashel Light Mask is an individual headpiece that provides timed, low-level blue light to a single eye throughout the day to stimulate optimum health, performance and coat condition.
The Equilume Stable Light provides horses with biologically effective light in a system that replicates the benefits of Nature’s light indoors, designed to maximise health, performance and breeding efficiency for stabled horses.
Equilume products are backed by science and trusted by equestrians and veterinarians worldwide.Â
