Cayman equestrians set for Caribbean challenge
Megan Swartz riding Zeus
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation (CIEF) has selected its Cayman teams for the Caribbean Equestrian Association’s (CEA) Caribbean Dressage Challenge. Representing the adult squad are Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio, Tracey Surrey and Stephanie Lloyd, all of whom are professional riders, while Anja van Genderen and sisters Megan and Abbey Swartz comprise the children’s team. The riders were chosen based upon the results of the Cayman leg of the CEA Dressage Challenge held this past weekend (1-2 April) at both the Equestrian Center and Cayman Riding School.
Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio, Tracey Surrey and Anja van Genderen also represented the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Dressage Challenge last year.
The Caribbean Dressage Challenge enables riders from CEA-member countries – Bermuda, Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands – to compete against each other. Because the logistics of transporting horses internationally are insurmountable, the judge travels rather than the competitors. Sarah Geikie, a USEF Senior and FEI 4* judge from the US state of Connecticut, flew in for the show.
Riders competing in the challenge are ranked both individually and by country team, which consists of the top three adult and top three junior riders based upon the difficulty of the test they ride and the scores they receive.
High point champion for the adults and juniors, respectively, were Tracey Surrey riding her horse Dusty at First Level Test 3 and Megan Swartz riding Zeus at Training Level Test 3. In addition to holding the CEA Dressage Challenge, the CIEF hosted other classes for interested riders.
To date, only the Cayman Islands and Bermuda have held their 2017 CEA Dressage competitions, and the Cayman Adult Team is currently in first place, a position they are likely to maintain as the team score is very high. The Cayman junior team is placed second behind Bermuda.
The final standing for Cayman’s riders and the national team will be determined once all of the countries in the CEA have completed their competitions. Last year, the Cayman children’s team placed second in the Caribbean, while the Cayman adult squad finished third overall.
Winners of each of last weekend’s classes are listed below in order of most to least difficult test ridden. Dressage Challenge classes are marked CEA.
| Fourth Level Test 1 (CEA) | Jodie McTaggart riding Ray of Light |
| Third Level Test 1 (CEA) | Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio riding Loris 7 |
| Second Level Test 3 – Adult (CEA) | Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio riding Relation |
| Second Level Test 3 – Child (CEA) | Anja van Genderen riding Joey |
| Second Level Test 1 – Adult | Tracey Surrey riding Dusty |
| First Level Test 3 – Adult (CEA) | Tracey Surrey riding Dusty |
| First Level Test 3 – Child (CEA) | Anja van Genderen riding Joey |
| First Level Test 1 – Child | Abbey Swartz riding Blue Ridge Dream On |
| Training Level Test 3 – Adult (CEA) | Stephanie Lloyd riding Lilly |
| Training Level Test 3 – Child (CEA) | Megan Swartz riding Zeus |
| Training Level Test 1 – Child | Kayla Mannisto riding Pony Up |
| Introductory Test C – Adult | Stephanie Lloyd riding Princess |
| Introductory Test C – Child | Jardae Barnes riding Austin |
| Introductory Test B – Child | Jardae Barnes riding Austin |
Next up on the CIEF calendar is the third show of the four-part National Jumping Series, which will take place 30 April at the Equestrian Centre located on the Linford Pierson Highway. Start time will be 8am and as always, spectators are welcome and admission is free.
Category: Equestrian, Sports
