Top equestrian riders for 2016 toasted

The year 2016 was another good one for the Barbados Equestrian Association as they continue to do well on the local, regional and international scenes. 

 

With local riders putting in some of their best performances to date, the association honoured its top achievers during an awards ceremony held recently night at the Coconut Court Beach Hotel.

 

With their last international event of the year coming just days prior, the island’s best seasoned riders and brightest rising stars were awarded for their achievements this year. 

 

Among the many prizes handed out on the night, the lion’s share went to Sara Jones and her retrained thoroughbred Sir Glacken, while Roberta Foster had the distinction of finishing the year second across the entire globe in the International Equestrian Federation’s World Dressage Challenge.

 

Saying a few words before presenting the evening’s prizes, Deputy Director of the National Sports Council Neil Murrell praised the association for its sterling efforts within recent years. 

 

“This association continues to really punch above its weight as a national association. From the perspective as a government administrator, we like to know that all associations are run very well and what we have found over the last five or six years within the Barbados Equestrian Association is that it has been one of the better-run associations. When you have an association that has FEI solidarity; when you have an association that looks out for the development of its young players; when you an association that has overseas competition; and when you have an association that gets results fairly consistently, it speaks to the fact that you continue to do well and it also speaks to the drive and determination of the President and executive of the association,” he said.

 

Making note of the strides made by the BEA regionally and internationally, Murrell added that the future looks to be a bright one. 

 

“I want to say to you to continue to do what you do well. Continue to encourage the younger persons within the association because I know that in the future, you will be looking for the young ones to take the association even further,” Murrell added. 

(MP)