BEIJING, China:

Samantha Albert flew out of Hong Kong late on Friday with her head high after a creditable performance in the equestrian discipline, eventing.

It's back to work for her among horses, the animals she dearly loves.

The British-based Albert, in her first Olympics, proved very competitive in the first two days of eventing but was let down by her horse in the last stage on the final day and this led to her elimination. She was 52nd of 69 riders on day one in dressage and improved to 42nd after the cross country.

Overall she was happy to be here and has no regrets.

No disgrace

"I am very pleased with the whole performance. I would like to have completed (her event) and got a very good placing but at the end of the day I really did not disgrace myself and I had a really good time," Albert said on the eve of her departure from the Games.

Albert said her mount, BEFORE I DO IT, appeared to be a bit sore, after a gruelling cross country the day before, but gave no prior warning.

"She warmed up fine outside but when she went in there (the competition area) she just froze and did not want to jump. She was a bit stiff, but she jumped very well in our practice."

The Hong Kong leg of the Olympics was given high praise by Albert.

"They were fantastic, very good. We were very well looked after and facilities for the horses were also very good. We could not have really asked for too much more," she said.

Drawback

The equestrian competitors had their own village in Hong Kong but there was one drawback for Albert.

"We had an Olympic Village in Hong Kong that we were all staying in. It was, however, a bit difficult as my family could not get into the village," said Albert, who has two boys - Miles and Toby.

With BEFORE I DO IT now approaching his mid-teens, Albert will be preparing nine-year-old BARNEY BANKER for the 2010 World Equestrian Championships in Kentucky, United States.

For now, Albert goes back to caring for her 12 horses in England. She is due to compete in a tournament next weekend.

She makes most of her money by buying and selling horses. The show jumping season there does not end until October so between now and then she will remain very busy.

- Elton Tucker