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Samantha Forsyth - Canadian/ Nova Scotian Young Event Rider
Samantha Forsyth began riding at the age of six in West Chezzetcook, just outside Halifax on the eastern shore and took lessons with Anne Merrit. She joined the Eastern Shore Pony Club at 8 and was also bought her first pony Half Pint. Sam and Half Pint competed regulary at primary and EC hunter shows in medium pony hunter, and equitation classes at the Windsor Horse Shows. They also participated in Pony Club quizzes, tetrathalon and rallies. Sam grew up riding on the beach, on trails and in fields and always loved the freedom of just going out and having fun riding bareback or galloping her pony.
In 2001 Sam bought her first horse, Copernicus, and also began riding with Pam LeDrew and Andy Wadowski at Pinehill Equestrian Centre. It was at Pinehill that she started eventing with Copernicus. With lots of help from Andy and Pam; Sam and Copernicus competed in Nova Scotia at Central Nova, Red Bank, Applewood and Hobby Horse and in 2003 went to PEI for Strathgartney HT.
Sam quickly realised that her hobby was becoming a passion; and in 2004 after graduating from Eastern Shore District High School she made the decision to relocate to Ontario to concentrate 100% on riding. She moved to Guelph, Ontario to be a working student for Canadian Long Listed event rider Jennifer Irwin and Canadian eventer Ryan Goss.
It was there that Sam met News Flash, a Canadian Thoroughbred owned by Jennifer. Flash had already competed up to the CCI** level with Jennifer and was known as an amazing cross country horse but a little difficult in dressage. Sam and News Flash quickly developed a great partnership. In December 2004 Sam was surprised by her parents when they bought News Flash for her. It was then that dreams of the North American Young Rider Championships (NAYRC) became a possibility.
Sam and News Flash started the season off with a 7th place finish at Grandview HT in the Young Rider Prelim division with a double clear cross country, and then another clear and a 13th place in the Prelim Open at Checkmate.
At Bromont International CIC* Sam and News Flash really showed their NAYRC intentions, being the only pair to go double clear cross country, finishing 5th overall and being the top placed Young Rider pair. Following Bromont results Sam and News Flash were chosen to represent Nova Scotia and Canada at the NAYRC at the CCI* level.
At NAYRC Sam and News Flash helped Team Canada win Team Gold and also finished 14th overall after a consistent dressage test, a few time faults on steeplechase, a double clear cross country, and 3 unfortunate rails in stadium.
2005 has left Sam hungry to continue competing internationally and plans to train/compete in Florida this winter at the intermediate level. She also hopes to represent Nova Scotia again at NAYRC at the CCI** level.
Sam contributes her success to the support of her family, especially her parents Mark and Janet Forsyth. Also to all of the amazing coaching she had in Nova Scotia from Anne Merrit, Andy Wadowski and Pam LeDrew. And finally her current coaches Jennifer Irwin and Ryan Goss for all of their advice, support and friendship.