Most of the riders for the day gather for a photo, after a long day of preparing their horses, riding in the show and staying dry! Judge Sally O’Connor (wearing straw hat) stands in the middle.

By Mwangi Ngamate
mwangi@caymannetnews.com

Cayman Islands Equestrian team gained an overall second place, behind Bermuda, at the CEA Mini Dressage Challenge, with the adult team scoring 63.36 percent and the Child Team 62.03. The event was held on 20 October at the Cayman Islands Equestrian Centre.

According to Board Member of Communications of the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation, Jane van der Bol, rain had previously hampered the competition causing the federation to postpone it.

“With all the rain lately, it was not looking hopeful for the riders to attend the show on Tuesday morning. The show was postponed to 1:00 pm hoping the rain would stop and the show could go on. Well, the rain did stop and the show did go on,” Ms van der Bol said in a statement released to the press.

The dressage arena was wet and ground crew worked hard to remove any standing water and prepare the surface for the riders and horses. Present was the judge for the CEA Mini Dressage Challenge, Sally O’Connor who travels from country to country in the CEA Region, judging each country’s riders and horses.

Each rider selects an approved CEA dressage test and practices to prepare for the dressage show. Each country has to present their top three rider scores for adult and children categories.

“We are half way through the CEA Mini Dressage Challenge. Countries that have already participated are Bermuda, Jamaica and Cayman. Countries left to show are Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad,” Ms van der Bol explained.

Judge Sally O’Connor is the mother of Olympic gold medalist rider David John O’Connor, born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, who is a retired equestrian rider. He won many international competitions as well as the gold medal for the US in the 2000 Olympic Games. He is only the second American to have won the Badminton Horse Trials.