from Horse & House (dated 29mar11)

Showjumper Samantha McIntosh is heading home to New Zealand.

Samantha, who was based in Germany and rode for Bulgaria, came "back to black" last year in time to ride for New Zealand at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

Now she is leaving her Europe base for the greener pastures of the Waikato.

Samantha has been based in Europe since 1996 and rode for Bulgaria at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, five European championships and two world games.

WEG 2010, in Kentucky, was her first top level New Zealand appearance.

The 35-year-old says while she's been living the dream for 14 years, the time is right to come home next month.

"Excited is not the word for it," she says. "I am looking forward to spending time with my family and working with some of the exciting young horses we have at home."

Her top horse Loxley 38 will return to his owner Horst Jaggli, who bought him as a three-year-old.

Fifteen-year-old Loxley has been with McIntosh eight years.

While she has no world-class horses with her now, she is not discounting representation at top level again.

"You never know what is just around the corner," she said.