Biography

Irish rider and data analyst Sam Watson (38) last competed at Badminton in 2015 and previously completed on four occasions – all with his former team ride Horseware Bushman. In 2023 with Badminton entry SAP Talisman Sam completed Burghley (13^th) and was a member of the Irish team at the 2021 European championships

Sam, who is based at the Ballybolger Stud in Co Carlow, was a member of the Irish team at the 2014 WEG. With former ride Horseware Bushman he represented Ireland on five senior championship teams and Horseware Bushman was Ireland’s all-time highest points scoring horse. The combination also represented Ireland in Juniors and Young Riders and in 2006 was fourth at the YR European Championships (missing an individual medal by just 0.4pen) In 2009 he won his first three-day, the two-star at Weston Park with Hoyo (by Puissance and a three-quarter brother to Bushman) and that year made his Badminton debut with Bushman and competed in the European Championships in Fontainebleau. In 2010 the pair was selected for the WEG where they finished in 26th place and in 2011 they competed at the European Championships.

Sam combined studying at Trinity College (in Management Science and Information Systems) with eventing. At the end of 2014, and with a nod to his degree, he founded EquiRatings, a company that analyses equestrian sports data.

Sam comes from an equestrian family; his father John competed at Badminton and won individual silver at the 1978 World Championships in Kentucky as well as European Team bronze and gold in ‘77 and ’79 (with Cambridge Blue); sister Rozzie flew the flag at Junior and Young Riders with the Watson’s first homebred mare Floating. She now heads the horse sales team at EquiRatings.

Sam is a ‘massive National Hunt enthusiast he now enjoys breeding and producing racehorses.

In 2012 Sam married Hannah (Sparkles) Bailey – a rider and former groom to Pippa Funnell – and the couple has two sons; Archie (10) and Toby (9).

SAP Talisman is an Irish-bred Irish Sport Horse registered 13-year-old gelding. Bred by Rosemary Ponsonby he is by Puissance – also the sire of his former rides Bushman, Ardagh Highlight and Lukeswell. He was acquired from the breeder as a four-year-old and is owned by Sam’s wife and Mother. He has been produced by Sam.