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Event Rider

Married to Hannah (Sparkles) with two sons, Sam Watson’s international career commenced when he represented Ireland at the Junior European Championships with Stephen Lanigan O’Keefe’s Demi-Tasse. His father, John, inspired his love for eventing. John represented Ireland individually and within teams, with highlights including winning Individual Silver at the 1978 Kentucky World Championships.

Sam and his horse, Horseware Bushman, have enjoyed incredible success as a winning combination in eventing circles. Alongside Horseware Ardagh Highlight, Sam was part of the Irish Eventing Team that won Team Silver at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, leading to the team gaining a qualifying spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Winning highlights

  • 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games Silver Medalist with Team Ireland and Horseware Ardagh Highlight
  • 6 European Senior Championships
  • 3 World Championships
  • On Team Ireland Tokyo 2020 team with Tullabeg Flamenco
  • Sam and Imperial Sky had 7 top two placings at CCI3* and CCI4* level – 3 wins in 2019 and 2020

“I’m a big believer that if you can delegate a part of your programme to an expert in that field, then you should do that. With Connolly’s RED MILLS and Foran Equine, we have got proper expertise backed by huge amounts of research and science, and a complete product range designed to keep my horses healthy and competition-ready.”

“The physical demands of 3 phases over 3 days on my horses’ legs is immense. We have a very simply formula to keep them moving well. Foran Equine’s Ost-O-Flex provides all that I need to keep their joints healthy, Ice-Clay cools cools tired legs after the cross-country phase, and Arnica and Aloe Vera Leg Gel is the perfect aftercare following showjumping.”

“Foran Equine’s Pre-Fuel + Refuel combo is a competition must-have for my high-performance horses. Eventing can be very physically demanding, so preparation and recovery is key to success. Pre-Fuel maximises atheltic performance and Refuel Gel supports optimum recovery before the next phase. It is one of the first things we pack in the lorry going to a show.”