Prominent young riders, Hadley Rahael and Amber Thompson claimed the two available national team places during trials held at Saddle Valley Stables, Santa Cruz, just over a week ago, to challenge the Barbados and Cayman Island legs of the CEA (Caribbean Equestrian Association) Junior Jumping competition.
The trials were hosted by the T&T Equestrian Association (TTEA) with the two riders, Rahael, in the 14-years-and-under division, and Thompson in the 16-years-and-under category, once again excelling in their respective divisions.
Rahael riding, borrowed horse, Miramis, won her segment, demonstrating once again her domination in the division locally. She moved two clear rounds, with no faults. The 13-year-old rider shows genuine promise in stepping up to the challenge in future competitions.
In the Under-16 category, the challenging mounts Audacity to Hope and Mr Wings were ridden by Thompson and Adelle Stollmeyer, respectively. These young riders have consistently challenged each other in offering keen competition, and after the day’s competition it was Thompson who took the lead, ending with just four faults, which earned her a spot on the team yet again in the regional competition. Thompson and Rahael, together, form a very capable and confident T&T team for the respective CEA competitions to be held in Barbados and the Cayman Islands, in February and May.
Both young riders formed part of the team which brought home the region’s 2013 Championship Trophy, the Bernard Payen Memorial Shield, after a joint first placed finish at the CEA Jumping Challenge competition, together with the Cayman Islands.
The team will be accompanied to Barbados and Cayman Islands by national coach Patrice Stollmeyer.
Thompson is coached by Stollmeyer at Saddle Valley Stables, while Rahael is coached by Margaret Auerbach and Sara McCartney at Goodwin Heights Stables.
The TTEA’s next local competition, the FEI World Dressage Show, will take place on February 22, at the Saddle Valley Stables.
See the original article as published in the Trinidad Guardian.