The Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) is leaving no stone unturned in its preparation for the FEI World Jumping Challenge 2014.
Sara Jones and Georgia Porter rose to the challenge over the weekend when the BEA?held the first of the three National Super League shows for 2014, at the White Hall Equestrian Centre.
The facility has been a work in progress as an ongoing project by Bijorne Bjerkhamn and Monique Archer, to improve the facilities to match the upgrade of the sport of show jumping in Barbados.
The brief early morning showers made the footing of the all-weather show arena immaculate for competition. Mixed competitors, from the young to the old, had a great day of show jumping with thrills and spills.
Super League 1. – 0.85m. – 0.95m. was won by Porter aboard the locally bred chestnut Ole’ in a time of 63.81 seconds.
Nine-year-old Indy Jones rode an amazing clear rounds on Montana in a time of 73.78 seconds to grab second. Less than one second behind was the experienced 16-year-old Erin Stephany riding the big, handsome Irish Draft, Forest taking third in a time of 74.21.
Class two was won by Jones riding Sir Glacken. Making her debut on the very handsome grey thoroughbred once owned and trained under the colours of the Parravicinos at the Garrison Savannah.
Sir Glacken won in a corking time of 59.42 seconds.
Second was Allanah Wilkie aboard Pantera, the “jumping machine”, and she moved swiftly around the course never wasting time over the fences or on the flat, a clear round in a time of 64.69.
Georgia Porter on Ole’ the feisty home-bred pony was outmatched this time and had to settle for third place with zero jumping faults and a time of 65.23 seconds.
Alanah Wilkie, on board Pantera, led the way in class three. Alanah impressed people riding strong in this competition and will be a good candidate for the upcoming FEI show to be held at the end of the month at Yorkshire Show Grounds.
In second spot was veteran Laura Smith aboard Kings Cross de Champaigne, with Jones third on Sir Glacken.
Adrianna King took pride of place in class four with a determined ride aboard Emmanuel who also had his days at the Garrison and has settled into the life of a riding school horse. A clear round in a winning time of 62.58.
Heather Walker, who is also known for his early speed, rode to victory in both class five and six to finish the day and close the competition on a high note.
The FEI World Jumping Challenge is going to be held at Yorkshire Show Grounds on March 29 and 30.
