Junior show jumpers test skill at weekend

LOCAL riders will showcase their dexterity this weekend when the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) stages its junior Show Jumping competition.

The exciting competition will be held over the next two days at the riding ring at the Police Mounted Branch, Long Circular Road, St James. Representing the local team will be 15-year-old riders Melisa Inglefield and Sarah Looger, with Ben Chapman (16) the reserve, and Patrice Stollmeyer  coach. This trio, although young in age are seasoned campaigners having competed both at home and other Caribbean islands over the years. Inglefield won the ‘Horse Of The Year’ 2002 Title with Nashville, and competed in the CEA Junior Show Jumping competition and the FEI World Jumping Challenge. Looger successfully competed in FEI Dressage Challenges as a local team member, while Chapman rode well in the CEA Junior Jumping competition in Barbados in February. Flying in from Barbados to compete in the two-day affair are 15-year-old Shari Haynes and Greg Goddard, 16. Haynes is the more experienced of the pair, having ridden several times among the juniors, unlike her partner who will be having his first taste of competition at this level.

Bermuda who will be coached by Nicholas de Costa will have the youngest team. They will blood 12-year-old Kyle Hassell and  Stephanie Wilkinson 13,  in the test of skills. The course looks set to challenge even the more experienced riders, especially when the element of  timing is considered. On each day there will be a class comprising several rounds, with two riders from each of the participating countries. Several horses will be used, and each rider will partner the same jumpers once. The rider posting the best time with the least faults will be declared the winner. A winning ride will be allotted eight points towards their country’s team score, second seven, with each subsequent place receiving one point less. To add fun and excitement on Sunday, the organisers have put together competitions for locals riders who are not entered in the CEA section.