OLYMPIC event rider Sam Watson has paid a touching tribute to his first championship horse Horseware Bushman who passed away last week at the age of 26.

The Puissance gelding, who was bred by his parents, John and Julia Watson, took Watson from his first young rider championships all the way to five-star and even led him to his wife, Hannah ‘Sparkles’ Watson. Sam competed the big bay throughout his entire eventing career, from his first event at Ballindenisk in March 2003 to his last, also at Ballindenisk, in 2017.

In between, he completed four Badmintons, three senior Europeans, two World Equestrian Games and a Burghley – 10 starts, 10 completions. He became the first Irish event horse to cross the 1,000 points barrier.

“There’s no doubt that George changed and created my pathway through this life. I went to that Young Rider championship expecting it to be my last ever event. But going so close (fourth) fuelled the fire to go on. And onwards we went. Without him, the rest wouldn’t have followed,” Sam said.

“On a broader note, there would be no EquiRatings. On a deeply personal note, without our trip to Pau in 2008, there would have been no Sparkles Watson… my equine partner of a lifetime connecting me to my human partner of a lifetime.

“For the past nine years, he’s been our best friend grazing the Ballybolger pastures. For me, he was the ultimate footsteps in the sand partner. There were times when I let him down more than usual and he found a way to carry us both home. He was brave, generous, sympathetic and he absolutely adored the sport.

“Today was our final goodbye to George, and you can imagine the sadness. But our eyes will dry and we’ll have endless happy memories to cherish. Thank you my boy. Eternal love, gratitude and admiration from us all.”