By Joanna Humphries From CIEF

The Cayman leg of the Caribbean Equestrian Association’s (CEA) Junior Show Jumping Competition was held at the Equestrian Centre on 18 and 19 April. Representing Cayman were Phoebe Serpell (aged 16 and under rider) and Chloe Fowler (aged 14 and under rider). Visiting riders came from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. The competition was judged by local FEI Judge, Michelle Boucher.

On Saturday the riders were required to complete two courses on two different horses. The competition was tight, with no major upsets. Chloe Fowler had two clear rounds. Phoebe Serpell had just one jumping fault and one time fault, putting Cayman in the lead with a total of five faults. Barbados was second with six faults. Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica had one point between them, at 10 and 11 respectively.

Sunday’s competition, with a different, tighter course was equally tough. Again the riders were all on different horses for each round. The show started very solidly with each of the 16 and under riders going clear in the first round. Unfortunately Jamaica had a rider eliminated in the 14 and under category first round while all the others went clear. The fourth and final round saw a number of upsets and unfortunately Team Cayman knocked down two poles to collect eight jumping faults which equated to third place in the grand total.

Barbados came first with a very strong performance, Trinidad and Tobago was second and Jamaica fourth. Cayman’s Chloe Fowler gained first place for the 14 and under category with the least number of faults.

For the first time Cayman hosted an International Invitational Competition for riders aged 12 and under. Representing Cayman were: Eva Muspratt, Abbey Swartz, Meegan Slattery, Grace Bostock, Laney Bodden and Basil Humphries. Two young riders came from Barbados and one from Jamaica. The nine children were divided into three teams for a friendly competition. The team “Fluffy Pink Unicorns of Doom” came first and comprised Dylan Frost of Barbados, Eva Muspratt and Abbey Swartz. Top individual performance based on combined results for the two days of competition was awarded to Eva Muspratt for two outstanding clear rounds on her pony Oscar The Great and Powerful.

Cayman’s show jumpers will meet again this weekend on Sunday 26th April at 8.30am in the fourth and final leg of the 2015 National Jump Series. The league championships will be decided at the Equestrian Centre on Linford Pierson Highway. Entry is free and spectators are welcome.

Photo credits due to Carib Creative Photography, with thanks.