What Samantha Albert Did to Become Jamaica’s First and Only Equestrian Olympian

Samantha Albert was the only Jamaican ever to compete in an Olympic equestrian competition, which is not surprising when you consider that the country has no eventing facilities.

Growing up on the island, Samantha used to improvise water jumps by putting logs in the sea.

Born in Canada to a Jamaican mother and English father, she and her two sisters went back to Jamaica with their mother when her parents divorced.

Samantha to a large extent has had to fund herself.

She rode for Jamaica at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and reckons it cost her almost £70,000.

Early in her career, she was approached by Canada to ride for them, which would have given her better funding and some fellow equestrians to ride alongside, but she turned them down.

“I love riding for my country,” she said.

Samantha retired from competitive events when she represented Jamaica at the 2012 Olympics.

Such a shame the equestrian competition carries such expenses.

Perhaps we were in line for a medal in the future? Bless her!

By Neo Makeba

Curated from The Guardian

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