2 weeks Ago By OMRI KELLY Guardian Sports Reporter [email protected]
Four teams recently gathered for the first leg of the Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League (BIEL). Defending champions Mariposa Gold Drops showcased their strength, winning the opener with a total of 48 points. The Camperdown Equestrian Centre Blue Marlins secured second place with 40 points, while the Mariposa Monarchs and CEC Sand Dollars finished third and fourth, respectively.
The competition, held at Mariposa Stables on October 11th and 12th, was judged by Mary Knowlton, a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) ‘R’ judge and former president of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). After the awards ceremony, riders had the opportunity to consult with Judge Knowlton and receive feedback on their performances. Established in 2017, the BIEL is a popular circuit among Bahamian junior equestrians.
Its unique format, based on collegiate competition rules, features team-based events where riders and horses are paired by random draw. Equestrian Bahamas, the national federation for equestrian sport, subsidizes these competitions, offering affordable options and preparing athletes for college-level events. Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre, president of Equestrian Bahamas, highlighted upcoming events, stating, “We have some shows coming up and are sending a team to a competition in Suriname next month.
I also have a kid competing in the Washington International Horse Show this weekend.” The BIEL opener set the stage for what could be a promising season, with Mariposa Gold Drops leading the charge and other teams eager to challenge their dominance. The league aims to continue to grow, with hopes of fostering talent and providing young equestrians with pathways to further their skills and compete internationally.
.
