The Tribune

SEVEN teams competed in the second show of this year’s Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League (BIEL) series, with the Windsor School team emerging as victors for the first time since last year in October. 

The competition was held at Mariposa Stables and was judged by USEF R-rated judge Linda Mancini of Warwick, New York.

At the end of the exciting day, riders and coaches settled down to listen as judge Mancini gave a clinic aimed at improving rider performance. 

Referring to her notes and even to specific riders and horses, Mancini reminded the competitors of the importance of mental preparation and gave tips on how to catch (and keep) the judge’s attention in a crowded field of competitors. She reviewed scoring rules and emphasised the importance of focusing on the details. 

After the judge’s clinic, it was time for the presentation of awards. The results were as follows:

1st place – Windsor School

2nd place – Lyford Cay International School

3rd place – Queens College

4th place – St Augustine’s College

5th place – St Andrew’s School Team A

6th place – Tambearly School

7th place – St Andrew’s School Team B.

The Bahamas Interschool Equestrian League was founded by Equestrian Bahamas to make equestrian sport accessible to all young Bahamians by offering competition opportunities in a collegiate format at no cost to riders.

The league is now in its third year and continues to grow. Derron Donaldson, secretary-general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, and Dorian Roach, vice-president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, were on hand to present the awards to the successful teams.