Equestrian: McIntosh finds form in time for Kentucky

Samantha McIntosh. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Belgian-based rider Samantha McIntosh turned in a strong performance to finish second in a highly-regarded five-star showjumping event in Italy yesterday.

Riding Loxley, the combination finished .34s behind winner Mathijs van Asten of the Netherlands in the grand prix at the San Patrignano CSI event.

McIntosh, 34, showed impressive timing as the New Zealand showjumping team is soon to be named for the world equestrian games in Kentucky.

Forty-three competitors started the 1.6m grand prix with nine going through to the jump-off, over an open but tricky course.

"It suited Loxley perfectly," said an elated McIntosh moments after pocketing the €40,000 ($72,000) prize money.

"He's not the fastest horse by nature so the course has to suit him. We went as fast as we could. There were two inside turns you really had to commit to, to get inside a very tight time allowed. It's lucky I know Loxley so well and that we were clearly on the same page today."

McIntosh was sixth to go in the jump-off. Van Asten and VDL Groep Chester Z had set a cracking pace that the others just couldn't match, stopping the clock at 39.45 seconds and double clear.

McIntosh left everything up, coming home in 39.79s, with Chris Chugg (Australia) on Vivant third in 40.39s, and also clear.

The result was even sweeter for McIntosh as it has been tough to get the much sought-after invitations needed for the top-flight five star shows.

"With everyone building up for Kentucky they are hard to come by at the moment." McIntosh and Loxley will next start at a CSI five-star in Madrid early next month, with the games to start on September 25.