The Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) closed a successful year with prize-giving at Coconut Court Hotel last Tuesday.
The equestrians celebrated those who had reaped rewards at this year’s National Super Leagues regionally and internationally.
New Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) president Sandra Osborne, secretary general Erskine Simmons, operation manager Glyne Clarke, and Neil Murrell of the National Sports Council were among the dignataries in attendance.
Outstanding performers were veteran Roberta Foster and her partner Chichic, who spent the first few months of 2017 training in Wellington, United States, and competing on the international scale.
Foster remained on top as she led the FEI World Dressage Challenge and received most of the national dressage prizes, along with the leading individual high score in the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) Regional Dressage Challenge.Â
Sixteen-year-old Zoe Archer, received the Amanda Howell Trophy for being Most Outstanding Eventer.
Zoe, along with president Monique Archer and Laura Smith, have been travelling throughout the United States for the past three months preparing for next year’s CAC Games.
Eventing was recently reintroduced to Barbados and Zoe and coach Joss Grey of England are eager to get the sport off the ground at the national level.
Zoe and her experienced Irish mare and loyal partner Millridge Z are the first of the three to qualify for the CAC Games.
Paige Tryhane, aboard Feip, won the FEI World Jumping Challenge (WJC) Category C (1m -1.10m) with Zoe placing second.
Tryhane also walked away with the Category B (1.10m – 1.20m) championship, riding Daisy, her piebald mare. Having won the National Super League 1 and 2, along with FEI C and B, Tryhane earned the award for being the Most Outstanding Adult competitor.
Dylan Frost and Bree-Anne Hurdle, topped the CEA Regional. Frost captured top position in the 0.85m. aboard Haze in the jumping, and Hurdle took the second level dressage test riding Rumba.
Sara Jones and Sir Glacken, who stepped up a class for the FEI WJC in Category A (1.20 – 1.30m), gained the highest level score for FEI WJC and the National Super League 3. They also collected the Amanda Howell Best Retrained Thoroughbred Jumper award for the fourth year.
This could be the last time for Sara as she passes Sir Glacken to her 13-year-old daughter, Indy Jones.
The younger Jones won the Open Little League 1m, and the Jean Ray Trophy for being Most Outstanding Junior Jumper, with Jodi Haloute, who was champion of the Little League .80 – .90m. aboard Stella Blue.
Special recognition was also given to Monique Archer, Diana Clarke and Roberta Foster for keeping the sport growing and developing. (RA)