A superb?performance by young Barbadian Heather Walker has helped to cement Barbados on the regional equestrian map.
The 14-year-old Queen’s College student not only placed first overall in Zone 10, but finished the 2011 FEI season ranked 19th overall in the world of the FEI Federation Equestrian International World Junior Jumping Challenge competition.
Walker and her mount, the race horse Super Trooper, were in perfect sync, finishing first in all four clear rounds of the championships in Barbados over the past year with no faults.
Her breathtaking performance was achieved in a time of 68.47 seconds.
Trinidadian rider Steven Degheldere finished second overall on A Great Team in a time of 71.41 seconds. He had one fault in Round 4.
Third overall was Bermuda’s Tyler Lopes on board Bailey’s Bay, in a time of 64.02 seconds. She recorded four faults in Round 3.
Allanah Wilkie on Bombay, Franka Costello and Paige Tryhane, who finished sixth, 11th, and 17th respectively were the other three Barbadians who participated in the Zone 10 championship.
Zone 10 comprised a total of 19 riders from Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
This flawless performance by Walker propelled her to 19th place overall in the world rankings among 228 riders from 26 countries. Degheldere’s riding put him 25th in the world rankings.
The two are the only riders from the region ranked in the top 30 in the world.
Coach Diana Clarke was full of praise for Walker.
“We are all very elated at her achievement. She has been improving by leaps and bounds every time she gets on top of a horse and therefore it came as no surprise to members of the BEA,” Clarke said.
“We are confident [that] with the extra training we have planned for the season, she will make it straight to Category A,” she added.
The 2012 show jumping season is set to begin at the Big C Stables in Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church, on January 21 at 5 p.m.