The Barbados 2014 showjumping season started with a bang last weekend, with Barbadian rider Heather Walker earning a share of the spoils in a two-day international event.
The event, hosted by the Big C Stables at its Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church facility, attracted riders from Barbados, Jamaica and Martinique.
Walker, riding Pantera, and 17-year old Ryan Wan-Agouhu of Martinique, riding Gillian Sampson’s Sky at Dusk, emerged joint Class 1 champions.
Walker, on her faithful equestrian partner Super Trooper, continued her winning streak to complete the hat-trick, riding brilliantly to win both the Class 2 and the Class 3.
Class 4 (0.60 metres) was a clear round class with no placing.
The Class 5 champion was the petite 11-year-old Danielle Gore of Jamaica, who was accompanied by coach Susan Wates and fellow rider Charlotte Clivio.
Young Georgia Porter and her mount Rasmus, were the Class 6 Champions. Porter will be the Barbados 14-and-under representative at the upcoming Caribbean Equestrian Association junior jumping competition.
The event also showed there is a cadre of younger riders now starting to compete, who are indicating that the future of showjumping is in good hands with Rebecca Sumpter, Dylan Frost, Bree-Ann Hurdle, Indy Jones, Mia Cothran, Morgan Foster, and Jodi Linton all coming within the first three in their individual events in lower level classes.
The Barbados leg of the CEA Juniors is scheduled for February 15 and 16 at the Big C Stables.
 Barbados will be represented by 16-and-under rider Erin Stephany and 14-and-under rider Georgia Porter. The coach is Di Clarke.
(PR)
