- Dec 12, 2023
- 0
The first Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League (BIEL) show of the 2023-2024 season was a hotly contested affair. Spectators at Mariposa Stables were kept on the edges of their seats as it came down to the very last round of the day to determine the final placings, with just six points separating the first and fourth-place teams.
In the end, the Mariposa Monarchs finished in first place with a score of 40 points overall, just edging out the Camperdown Equestrian Centre Blue Marlins who finished with 39 points. The Mariposa Gold Drops finished in third place with 38 points, meaning just two points separated the top three teams. The Camperdown Equestrian Centre Sand Dollars finished fourth with 35 points.
Riders, trainers and parents also got a special treat when Canadian Judge Christine Reupke held an impromptu clinic and question-and-answer session at the end of the show. Judge Reupke gave the riders valuable advice and feedback on their performances, based on her extensive experience as a judge, Equestrian Canada official and competition organizer.
The BIEL competition circuit is a favorite among Bahamian junior equestrian riders because of the format, based on collegiate competition rules, in which riders and horses are matched by random draw. This provides riders with the exciting opportunity to show their skills in the ring while riding unfamiliar horses, preparing them for the rigors of intercollegiate competition. The competitions are sponsored by Equestrian Bahamas, the national federation for equestrian sport in The Bahamas.