Albert clan lights up Greenwich Park

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

LONDON, England:

They could be seen running around the expansive Greenwich Park venue - rather loudly - waving Jamaican flags and wearing the black, green and gold. They had to be Jamaicans, but what were they doing at an equestrian venue?

There were a few questioning glances from the other spectators, who must have wondered to themselves if the Jamaicans had wandered on to the course by mistake. After all, Jamaicans are more known for track and field, not anything related to horses.

The posse, about 10 strong, had travelled from near and wide to support Jamaican equestrian entrant, Samantha Albert, as she took part in the individual eventing competition here at the Olympic Games.

Hugs and excited chatter followed Albert's brave and commendable 54.00 penalty-point run in the cross-country test yesterday, this despite a spill and her horse CARRAIG DUBH running on one less shoe for the majority of the massive course.

son beaming with pride

Albert's combined tally was high - which isn't a good thing in equestrian competition - 121.20 after two of the three disciplines. But they didn't care. Albert had ridden with heart, the name of Jamaica's rider was on the lips of everyone, and with other riders falling all around her, the 41-year-old showed poise to bring home the gelding in a respectable manner.

"I'm so proud of her. This feels really good," beamed her 10-year-old son Miles, who is himself a rider. "She has been training a long time and I'm glad she did well."

Her older son, Toby, 12, was a picture of bliss, smiling wildly when asked if he would like to represent Jamaica one day.

"I am very proud and she was very good to stay on. The horse slipped and she did well to stay on and still finished with the shoe off," Toby assessed. "It's a very good ride."

One of Samantha's two sisters, Abby, was, like the Olympian, introduced to horses as a young child but was never keen on the four-legged creatures.

significant moment

"I'm just praying every round that she finishes. I just want to see her compete so she has it behind her. I think she has done tremendously well and we are all extremely proud of her," said Abby, before cousin David McConnell chipped in.

"I'm very proud of her ... we are so proud of her!" he exclaimed. "She is wearing the country's colours greatly and we are really proud of her. She came back well after that slip and did a phenomenal job."

Mother Liz Brooks bounced around the venue following her daughter's ride and a tight embrace showed just how much it meant to her.

"She is a fighter, you know. I'm very proud of her," said Brooks. "She came out here and gave it her all and has represented the country with tremendous pride."

With the Jamaican posse not expected on the course after Albert's final test tomorrow, it seems highly unlikely that Greenwich Park will get the jolt of vibrant energy that the Jamaicans brought over the past few days.

Medal standings at the end of day three

G = Gold

S = Silver

B = Bronze