The Tribune

THE Mariposa Gold Drops emerged victorious for the second time this year in Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League (BIEL) competition.

Four teams comprised of 20 young riders from different schools competed in the League’s Winter Term competition, held last weekend at Camperdown Equestrian Centre under the watchful eye of USEF Judge Lori Arnold of Sorrento, Florida.

This second win of the season for the Gold Drops was a much closer call than their Fall Term victory.

This time around the competition was hotly contested at all levels, with just six points separating the top three teams. At the end of the day the Gold Drops finished in the lead with 45 points.

Second place went to the Mariposa Monarchs with 40 points, while the CEC Blue Marlins fell just one point short, finishing in third place with 39 points. Fourth place went to the CEC Sand Dollars, who gained 25 points.

Erika Adderley of Mariposa Stables is the coach of the Gold Drops and the Monarchs teams, while Kimberly Johnson of Camperdown Equestrian Centre coaches the Blue Marlins and the Sand Dollars.

Founded in 2017, BIEL competitions have been a perennial favourite among junior riders because of the team emphasis and the unique format, based on collegiate competition rules, in which riders and horses are matched by random draw.

The teams are ‘mixed’, comprised of students from schools across New Providence, and provide riders with the exciting opportunity to show their skills in the ring while riding unfamiliar horses.

Sponsored by Equestrian Bahamas, the National Federation, the League consists of a series of three competitions, culminating in a National Championship.

The final BIEL competition of the year will be held at Camperdown Equestrian Centre in May.