Samantha Albert completes cross country course despite hiccups
LONDON, England – Despite her horse Carraig Dubh, losing a right front shoe early in the proceedings, at the third of 28 fences, Jamaica’s Olympic equestrian Samantha Albert managed to complete the Cross country course at the historic Greenwich Club, the second day of her three day Individual Eventing competition.
It was another disappointing day for the athlete who will retire from Olympic competition after tomorrow’s show jumping sections as she finished the course in 11 minutes 27.57 seconds outside of the 10 minutes limit and picked up 54 penalty points for a two day total of 121.20 after picking up 67.20 points in the first day dressage.
An accident ahead of her on the course, when a Japanese rider fell from his horse also forced her to stop competing, another bad break as she said the horse performed valiantly despite the many handicaps.
It will be a race against the clock tonight, her handlers said, to make sure the horse is fit to compete tomorrow and a farrier, a specialist in equine hoof care, from another team has also offered to help to make sure the 12 year old thoroughbred will be able to make it to the start.