By Eve van den Bol From CIEF

This past Sunday, the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation (CIEF) held the third leg of this season’s National Jumping Series at Cayman Riding School in Newlands. The National Jumping Series consists of four different show jumping competitions held during the season, which begins in November and ends in May, culminating with a Champion and Reserve Champion named at the CIEF Annual Awards Dinner in June.

This weekend’s show, judged by Tanya Neville-Dixon, saw 40 entries across a variety of show jumping classes, each competed over a tricky course with several bending lines. The day started with the 1.0 meter and 1.1 meter classes which were both won by Phoebe Serpell riding her horse Sunday’s Edition.

The 0.6M and 0.7M Junior events were the most hotly contested with 11 entries in each class. The 0.6M class was won by Lea Rado riding her horse, Never Ending Story, followed closely in second place by Laney Bodden on Star, Jenna Boucher on Beanie in third place, Ashley van den Bol on Amarilla in 4th, Basil Humphries riding Storm in 5th and Shayla Ebanks also riding Beanie in 6th place. Rado also won the 0.7M class in the fastest time of the day. Close on her heels and only 0.5 seconds off the winning time was Ashley van den Bol on Durango who took second. Third was Jenna Boucher on Katrina, followed by Chloe Fowler on Star in 4th, Laney Bodden also on Star in 5th and Basil Humphries on Storm in 6th.

The 0.6M Adult class was won by Amara Thompson riding Teddy Bear, who also placed second in the 0.7M adult class behind winner, Julette Forrester on Apollo, who have been an unbeatable team at 0.7M height throughout the series this year. Rounding out the 0.7M adult class were Madeleine Aquart on Rambo in 3rd place and Michelle Boucher on Filipo H in 4th.

The final National Jumping Series class of the day was the 0.85M Open class won by Jenna Boucher riding Katrina, with Ashley van den Bol taking second, Amara Thompson on Rumour Has It in third and Chloe Fowler on Star in fourth.

Three Optimal Time Jumping classes not part of the National Jumping Series were also held. Charli Milgate who was competing for the first time in a show jumping event took first place in the 0.6M Optimal Time class on Amarilla, followed by Grace Bostock on Lucyanna in second and Shayla Ebanks on Beanie in 3rd place. First and second place in the the 0.7M Optimal Time class respectively went to Michelle Boucher on Filipo H and Basil Humphries on Storm. The Optimal Time Cross Rail class was won by Kyra Slattery riding Diamond.

The fourth and final leg of this year’s National Jumping Series will be held at the Equestrian Center located on the Linford Pierson Highway in early May. The results of this event will determine who is named Champion and Reserve at each height for the year, and is expected to be an exciting event for all. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.

IMAGE: CIEF