Author: andy

A strong Queens College team rode to victory for the first time ever in last Saturday’s Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League horse show, the final event of the BIEL competition season. However QC’s strong showing was not enough to unseat the Lyford Cay International School team in the overall standings. For the third year in a row the LCIS team and coach Erika Adderley successfully defended their status as Champions of the Interschool Series.

“The Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League continues to grow. Each year we have added teams, the teams are fielding more riders, and the competition is fiercely competitive,” said Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre of Equestrian Bahamas, the country’s Equestrian Sporting Federation. “The Championship Series consists of three shows, and we are seeing more parity in competition. This year for the first time ever each show was won by a different school.”

The Championship Series consists of interschool horse shows held in December, February and May. Windsor School won the first competition while LCIS won the second, but last Saturday, the Queens College team of Peyton Wong, Mila Sands, Hannah D’Aguilar and Molly McIntosh turned in poised and consistent performances to assure QC’s first ever victory. The QC team coach, Ms. Kim Johnson, praised the riders for their effort and diligence.

The Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League Championship Series is designed to prepare junior riders for collegiate competitions. Shows are based on the format of NCAA and IHSA intercollegiate competitions in the United States. Last Saturday’s show was held at Camperdown Equestrian Centre and was judged by Ms. Sabrina Lightbourne, former member of the Bahamas National Junior Equestrian team. Mr. Dorian Roach, Vice-President of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, was on hand to congratulate the riders and hand out the awards.

The overall placings for the Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League Championship Series 2018-2019 were as follows:

1st place – Lyford Cay International School
2nd place – Windsor School
3rd place – Queens College
4th place – Independent Team
5th place – Saint Andrews School
6th place – Lucaya International School
7th place – Tambearly School

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Congratulations and thanks to all who participated, spectated, and otherwise supported Equestrian Bahamas at the recent Jumper/Medal show and Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League Competition at Camperdown last weekend. Congratulations to Lyford Cay International School for winning Sunday’s team competition!

The show was judged by the super-knowledgeable, ultra-personable Creigh Duncan of Princeton, New Jersey. Judge Duncan not only did a wonderful job of judging the show, but also treated riders, coaches and parents to a fantastic post-show judging clinic, in which she praised riders for their efforts, gave advice for technical improvements, and shared a compelling and educational insight into the thought process of the competition judge.

The overall results were as follows: 1st place – Lyford Cay International School; 2nd place – Queens College; 3rd place – Independent team; 4th place – Windsor Preparatory School; 5th place – St. Andrews School; 6th place – Tambearly School. No matter the overall placings, it was a fun and educational day for all as riders celebrated with their team mates. The photo below says it all: it was a day worth jumping for joy!

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Thanks to all who braved the weather for our first Hunter Show this weekend at Mariposa Stables. Although Saturday was a wash, Sunday dawned bright and beautiful! Congratulations to all exhibitors, and thanks as always to the dedicated trainers, ring crew and volunteers who make it happen! We look forward to seeing everyone at the Annual Camperdown Jumper/Medal Show on February 16…and at the Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League event on February 17!

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The first horse show of the Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League 2018-2019 season held last Sunday at Mariposa Stables took a surprising turn when the Windsor Preparatory School Team emerged as the overall victors, unseating 2-time champions Lyford Cay International School.

Windsor fielded its largest team ever, with veterans Elle O’Brien, Alexis Neymour and Isabella Coello being joined by first-time competitors Quintyn Bauemler and Katarina Coello. Coached by trainer Erika Adderley, the five riders turned in consistent, successful rides, amassing a winning total of 43 points to handily defeat the reigning champions, Lyford Cay International School.

BIEL shows are based on the format NCAA and IHSA competitions, in which riders “draw” the names of the horses they will ride, and therefore compete on potentially unknown horses with minimal preparation. The format is designed to prepare our riders for collegiate competition. The show was judged by Mr. Jamie Stryker of Morriston, FL.

23 riders competed in six teams, with results as follows:

• 1st place – Windsor Preparatory School (43 points)
• 2nd Place – Lyford Cay International School (32 points)
• 3rd Place – Independent Team (28 points)
• 4th Place – Queens College (21 points)
• 5th place (tie) – St. Andrews School/ Lucaya International School (18 points)

Thanks to all riders and enthusiastic parents and supporters who came out for the Mariposa Jumper/Medal show on Saturday, and the BIEL show on Sunday! The next interschool equestrian competition will be held at Camperdown Equestrian Centre on Sunday, February 17, 2019. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend.