Last weekend, the Antigua and Barbuda Horse Society (ABHS) successfully hosted the first event of 2010 at the Spring Hill Riding Club in Falmouth. It was a national dressage challenge involving riders from both the Spring Hill Riding Club in Falmouth and the Rivendell Stables in Woods Estate.

The show was a collaborative effort between the ABHS and the two stables, and in total 15 riders competed in four levels of dressage; elementary, preliminary, adults trot and children’s trot tests. All dressage tests were judged by Patsy White.

The event started early Saturday morning with the elementary test and all the riders performing extremely well. Jessica Freling at the age of 16 took the top prize with an almost flawless test. The preliminary test was dominated by riders from the Spring Hill Riding Stables and young Jessica Blatter snatched first place.

In the adults trot test Nikki Freling, who has only been riding for less than a year, took home first place with a very well ridden test. In the children’s trot test Nicholson sisters competed against each other and younger sister Zara Nicholson narrowly seized first place by less than one percent from her older sister Ria.

In addition to the competition Spadicia Harris, the sponsored rider in the ABHS’s riding for the disabled program, rode a routine set to music. Spacidia, who has a prosthetic leg and has only been riding for two months, performed remarkably well and her performance brought tears to many spectators’ eyes. The ABHS Riding for the Disabled Program has been set up with funds from a private benefactor to promote horse riding in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Spring Hill junior riders also did a joint dynamic performance to music which was received extremely well by the spectators.

The event was attended by the Sports Coordinator, Anne Jonas and the Director of Sports, Mervyn Richards, from the Ministry of Education, Gender, Sports and Youth Affairs. Mr. Richards presented the riders with their prizes and gave words of encouragement. He stated that it was fantastic to see that many young equestrian riders in Antigua and also even better to see the great support that they receive from their parents and coaches.

The ABHS would like to thank all the spectators for turning out to watch and support the local riders in action. The ABHS would also like to invite the public to keep an eye out for the next event in April, which will be a show jumping event at the Rivendell Stables in Woods Estate.