Millie Vlasov has made history for Bahamas equestrian sport, representing The Bahamas in
Show Jumping at the Central American and Caribbean Games, held in the Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic sub-venue, riding her superb mount Gulliver Du Saint-Chene.
As an Individual entry, Millie and Gulliver were required to compete not only in Sunday’s
Individual qualifying round but also in the Team competition the next day. The pair
completed three grueling rounds over four days, finishing strongly on a score of 34.32 which
was good enough to qualify for the Individual final.
The Individual final was an incredible test for the athletes. After a shaky start and a pole
down on the first fence, Millie and Gulliver got stronger and stronger as they rode through
the course, finishing on 12 faults. Sitting in 16 th place – good enough to be near the top 10,
but technically out of medal contention – Millie chose to retire from the competition rather
than jump the second round of the Final.
“I made a horseman’s decision,” said Millie. “My horse gave his heart for this event. We are
both still very inexperienced; we learned so much in this, our first Championship Games, and
I felt it was unfair to ask him for more when he had already given so much.”
Millie was not the only athlete to make this decision: she was one of 5 riders in the top 20
who chose to retire from the competition rather than work their horses further. In the end,
she and Gulliver placed 20 th overall, tied with Colombia’s Jorge Andres Barrera and
Explosive TV.
“It was the hardest test I have ever faced in my career,” said Millie. “I feel so honoured to
have such an incredible horse like Gulliver. I am so fortunate to be supported by an amazing
team, who guided me every step of the way on this incredible journey.”
And what a team it was! Millie was accompanied to the Games by her trainer, Gilles Bertran
de Balanda, a former World Champion and member of the French Olympic Show Jumping
Team; Chef d’Equipe Heidi Mello of Bermuda who has over 25 years of experience in
equestrian sport at the CAC, Pan-Am and Olympic Games, and professional show groom
Margaux Rampnoux of France, who has over 15 years’ experience preparing top horses for
international competition.
“This is only the beginning,” said Millie. “I am so thrilled with our performance. Now we
continue to train and set our sights on representing The Bahamas in the Pan-American
Games in 2026!”
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