Cayman’s top dressage competition of the year, the 2013 Fédération Equestre Internationale World Dressage Challenge, saw Cayman hoping to defend its first place regional standing.
The local results of the competition saw Thea Millward win the Preliminary Children category on Iggy Pop at a score of 64.05 per cent. After her came Phoebe Serpell, on Me and My Shadow, at 63.97 per cent; Anja van Genderen, on Karma, at 61.81 per cent; Madeleine Aquârt, on Zeus, at 59.66 per cent and Hannah Fowler, on Shirley Temple, at 59.31 per cent.
Polly Serpell won the Preliminary Adult category on Calidad at 67.24 per cent. Serpell would beat out Jessica McTaggart, on Dublins Bay, at 63.88 per cent; Charlotte Hinds, on Munroe Carr, at 63.28 per cent; Melanie McTaggart, on Smart Racer, at 61.55 per cent; Michelle Boucher, on Katrina, at 58.71 per cent; and Amara Thompson, on Rumour Has It, at 47.41 per cent.
Millward would ride Storm to the Elementary Children category title at 55.68 per cent, while Hinds rode Munroe Carr to the Elementary Adult category win at 57.50 per cent.
Competing in the challenge required all riders to achieve a qualifying score of 55 per cent or higher in one of the two qualification rounds. The show, which was held at the Equestrian Centre on Linford Pierson Highway, began with a veterinary inspection to ensure each horse was fit to compete. All entrants were cleared to ride.
The aim of last Wednesday’s showcase was to give dressage riders who live in more remote countries the opportunity to compete internationally without having to leave their own country.
Cayman riders had the opportunity to train with visiting US dressage coach Cindy Thaxton, who worked with competitors the week leading up to the show and warmed up riders on the day.
Two highly qualified FEI Dressage judges, Mariano Santos and Elke Ebert, came to Cayman to judge the competition. To ensure fairness, the same two judges travel to all participating countries in this zone – which includes Jamaica, Haiti, Bermuda, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
Both judges left Grand Cayman last Thursday and headed to Jamaica for the fifth leg before tackling Haiti for the sixth and final leg. Overall results for the competition will be available when the Haiti stage has been completed.
For more information on local equestrian, especially training and sponsorship opportunities, contact Milly Serpell on 926-1551 or [email protected]
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