Local riders place third in dressage competition
Amara Thompson riding Teddy Bear (Photo by Slattery Photography)
The Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation (CIEF) ended the season on a high note with last weekend’s Caribbean Equestrian Association’s (CEA) Dressage Challenge and the last chance to earn points in the National Dressage Championship.
The Cayman leg of the CEA Dressage Challenge, held 30 May, was the last of five regional competitions. US judge Jeanne McDonald has travelled to Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman, Jamaica and Trinidad to judge local riders on their own ponies and horses in a variety of dressage tests. The best three children’s scores and the best three adults’ scores from each country were chosen as the ‘team’ scores and then compared against the other countries for an overall winner.
Record entries ensured plenty of healthy competition. Georgia resident Cindy Thaxton, a long-time dressage coach of Cayman’s riders, was in town to help put the finishing touches on many of the competitors’ tests.
Both of Cayman’s teams placed third overall. Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio (adult), and child riders Ashley van den Bol, Isabella Finlay and Abbey Swartz, notched individual victories in various tests for Cayman.
Also competing for Cayman were adults Amara Thompson and Juliette Forrester, and children Phoebe Serpell, Thea Millward and Hannah Fowler.
Category: Equestrian, Sports
