by Tanya Ziemniak From CIEF

Cayman’s
dressage riders tacked up on Sunday to compete in the second of three
national dressage shows scheduled to take place this season, each of
which is sponsored by the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation
(CIEF). Held at the Equestrian Center located in George Town on the
Linford Pierson Highway, the show saw 30 entries for the day.

Valerie
Swygert (USEF – r) of Lexington, South Carolina flew in to judge
the show. This was Valerie’s first time to Grand Cayman to judge a
CIEF dressage show, and she said she was very impressed in Cayman’s
dressage athletes and is looking forward to returning one day to see
the progression of the riders.

At
the start of the day, Jessica McTaggart and her horse, Loris 7, rode
the Prix St. Georges Test, competing together for the second time at
an international (FEI) level. Ms. McTaggart is aiming to qualify for
the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Games with Loris 7, who she
has trained up the levels since purchasing him as a 4 year old in
Germany. She is hoping to return to the international stage with him
as her new mount. Given her outstanding score of 69.118%, she
appears well on her way.

Several
riders were competing in today’s show, including one new rider to
the CIEF Dressage show, Clarie Loebell who was paired with Nala and
placed 2nd
in the USDF B Test – Adult. Special mention goes to Junior rider,
Kayla Mannisto, who scored an impressive 71.207% with her mount Pony
Up in the Training Level 3 Test and was also named High Point
Champion Junior. Jessica McTaggart, who was named High Point
Champion Adult, earned a notable 71.806% at First Level Test 3 riding
Blue Ridge Dream On.

The
CIEF is the national governing body for equestrian sport in the
Cayman Islands. The CIEF produces a series of equestrian
competitions, arranges training opportunities with professionals from
overseas, supports the Cayman Islands’ participation in
international equestrian sporting events and works with the Cayman
Islands’ government to prevent the abuse of horses on the island.

The
next dressage show sponsored by the CIEF will take place on March
17th
at 8:00am at the Equestrian Center located on the Linford Pierson
Highway. As always, spectators are welcome and admission is free.
Refreshments will also be available for purchase.

Winners of each class in decreasing order of difficulty were:

IMAGES:

Photo credits: sMary Alberga, Jodie McTaggart and Phil Millward