'When You Love Them, They Feel It': Samantha Mcintosh And Check In Prove That Friendship Wins At MET Oliva

The handsome bay stands at the back of his stall, all four legs wrapped with ice boots, ears half-heartedly pinned back.

“He likes to be alone,” chuckles his groom, Margaux Rampnoux.

Yet, having won the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) Oliva CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix less than an hour before, no one would begrudge the stallion known as Check In a few moments to himself.

Eventually, however, “Checky” comes over to accept a treat of a banana from his rider, Samantha Mcintosh, who finds his grumpy faces endearing.

“That’s the first grand prix I’ve won on him. He’s had lots of placings but that’s the first time we’ve been up front,” she says of the 16-year-old Oldenburg, her partner of four years and mount for the FEI World Equestrian Games last fall. “His jump is just phenomenal. He has a lovely, huge, big stride.”

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Article written by: Leslie Threlkeld