Development: Successful Regional Series in the Carribeans

Antigua & Barbuda places second in show jumping - An exciting and successful fourth leg"

The Antigua & Barbuda Horse Society hosted a successful fourth leg of the Diamonds International Caribbean Equestrian Association Junior Show Jumping Challenge, last weekend, at Spring Hill Riding Club in Falmouth.

After two days of exciting competition, the Bermuda team captured the number one spot. Antigua's team took the second place, with Trinidad coming in third.

The Caribbean Equestrian Association series runs in association with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and allows riders to compete at the regional level. Each of the competing countries hosts a leg of the competition.

The series started in January in the Cayman Islands; with the second leg in Barbados in February; and the third in Bermuda in May.

In this series, each country sent a team of riders to the host country where they were required to ride horses chosen from a lottery.

This exciting format had the dual benefit of allowing the riders an opportunity to demonstrate their riding ability, while eliminating the expense of shipping horses around the region.

Antigua & Barbuda was represented by Jessica Kirchner and Samantha Antifave in the 16 and under class; and Florence Saddler and Anja Edwards Sealy in the 12 and under group.

Present at the Antigua event were Ministers Harold Lovell, Charlesworth Samuel and Eleston Adams - who is the constituency representative for St. Paul's. Avonelle Pole from the Sports Alliance "Desk" in the Ministry of Tourism also attended the event.

"As a regional event, it's great exposure for our children to compete at this level," President of the Antigua & Barbuda Horse Society, Solveig Nitschmann said. "Performing in front of so many spectators takes a lot of courage and focus, so I'm pleased and very proud that our competitors have done so well." She further stated," An important aspect of this competition is that it allows people to from different locations to come together in the spirit of competition and cultural exchange."