Victorious reunion for Matthew Sampson and Curraghgraigue Obos Light

schedule

18/08/2023

Matt Sampson (GBR) and Curraghgraigue Obos Flight.

The Flight in CSI3* tbird Challenge at the Thunderbird Show Park

Langley, BC – Matthew Sampson (GBR) couldn’t quite call his partner in the CSI3* tbird Challenge a “catch ride.”

But it had been a while since he’d shown the 11-year-old Curraghgraigue Obos Flight. Flying in from Europe for the Summer Fort Classic CSI3, Sampson reunited with the gelding for a win in Thursday’s CSI3 tbird Challenge 1.40m.

The pair crossed the timers of Peter Holmes’ (CAN) short track in 40.53 seconds. Bretton Chad (CAN) and CSF Princess Blue finished second (40.86s), with Katie Kruger (CAN) and Goodwill VB third (43.43s).

It’s been a busy year since Sampson first visited Thunderbird Show Park last August, winning three international classes. This year, he’s spent more time in Europe, while Kara Chad (CAN)—his partner in both business and life—took the reins on “Jack.” But while Chad had three horses of her own in FEI this week at tbird, Sampson had just one, so she lent back the ride.

“I’ve had him since he was seven. So I know him inside out. I rode him completely until April this year, and then Kara took him over,” Sampson explained. “She was great [on him]. He won a few really good classes at Spruce [Meadows] in the summer series. Kara has got three horses already in the three star this week, so we [said], ‘Well, while I’m here, I’ll jump him again.’ She’s going to ride him again after this week.”

CSI3* tbird Challenge 1.40m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. Curraghgraigue Obos Light / Matthew Sampson / GBR / Matthew Sampson / 0/0 40.53
2. CSF Princess Blue / Bretton Chad / CAN / Stone Ridge Farms LLC / 0/0 40.86
3. Goodwill VB / Katie Kruger / CAN / Caledonia Stables / 0/0 43.43
4. Castros / Meredith Ellis / CAN / Meredith Ellis / 0/4 44.66
5. Luikan Q / Brian Morton / CAN / Attache Stables / 0 74.3
6. Chicago CM / Eric Krawitt / CAN / Eric Krawitt / 0 75.83
7. Glacier ZF / Shauna Cook / CAN / Zeidler Farm Canada 2017 Ltd / 4 77.3
8. Fair Play D’Esquelmes / Nyah Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd / 4 77.94
9. Zamira Z / Isauro Flores / CAN / Isauro Flores / 6 82.4
10. Pasquinelle / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 8 82.97