Roberta Foster with her many awards after another outstanding year. Inset is James Elliott, president of the Barbados Equestrian Association. (Pictures by Antonio Miller.)

by PHILIP SPOONER

The Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) is on the road to success. According to president James Elliott, the riders were "outstanding" in 2006, and they are looking for bigger and better things in 2007.

He was speaking to MIDWEEKSPORTS on Friday night after a fun-filled awards ceremony at Surfer's Bay in Silver Sands, Christ Church.

"We were simply outstanding this year and I have to applaud the efforts of everyone involved in the sport," Elliott said. "We performed very well in competitions, and we are also delighted with the work of the persons behind the scene. I have to say this has been an outstanding year."

The BEA was able to send a team of three riders – Akoele Roachford, Gina Hunte and Roberta Foster – to the Central America and Caribbean Games in Colombia in June.

The juniors performed well on the regional stage in the Caribbean Equestrian Association's competitions. Barbados was rated the No.1 country in the West Indies when judges from the International Equestrian Federation's (FEI) visited earlier this year.

"For a country of our size, we are doing amazingly well. We have seen great effort and great dedication," Elliott said.

He also praised the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) for its assistance in pushing the sport and helping with team travel.

"The BOA has been tireless in its support. An equestrian team is not an easy one to send away. We have had to face incredible hurdles – such as veterinary regulations and other major factors – but the BOA has always been there to assist."

The president said that although 2007 will be full of challenges, it will present huge opportunities. The highlight is expected to be the Pan American Games in Rio, Brazil, in July next year. Roachford, Hunte and Foster are expected to make the team. They could be joined by Natya Sooden, who is presently competing and training in Germany and Italy.

"We have made plans and are looking at going to Rio. That's a major undertaking and will take well over $100 000. But we aim to make it," Elliott said.

"We have great riders, but one of our biggest problems is getting top-quality horses for them to ride. We have been looking at the possibility of leasing horses from abroad so our riders can truly excel.

"The amount of talent on this small island is remarkable. They can go into the future confident, once they get the right kind of horses."