Trench and Serpell named High Point Champions

By Eve van den Bol

An intense burst of rain and cool, breezy weather this past weekend did not deter Cayman's equestrians as they competed at the third national dressage show of the season held by the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation (CIEF) at the Equestrian Center in George Town. Meris Greges (USEF – r) judged the show live from her home in Athens, Alabama using the CIEF's Pixio camera system which enables real-time viewing and scoring of the competitors as in a normal horse show.

"We are delighted to have invested in the Pixio as it allows both our sport and athletes to continue to develop uninterrupted by the restrictions of Covid-19 on international travel," noted CIEF Show Committee Chairperson, Tanya Ziemniak.

Marley Trench and Milly Serpell were named high point junior and adult riders respectively, Trench at Training Level Test 3 and Serpell at Training Level Test 1. Other highlights of the show include the competitive debut of Alexandra Gowrie in her first ever horse show, finishing 2nd in the USDF B test, and double-wins by Marley Trench on her horse Gitana RDL and Nadia Thompson riding Me and My Shadow.

The CIEF is the national governing body for equestrian sport in the Cayman Islands and hosts several competitions throughout the year that are open to members from any stable or location on the island. The CIEF also hosts visiting clinicians, supports equestrian athletes competing for Cayman overseas and works with the government to prevent the abuse of horses on the island. For more information on the CIEF and its events, please visit their website at www.ciefcay.com.

Winners of each class in decreasing order of difficulty were:

• FEI Intermediate 1 – Jessica McTaggart riding Loris 7

• USEF Second Level Test 3 - Adult – Jessica McTaggart riding Prestige Pandora

• USEF Second Level Test 1 - Junior – Kayla Mannisto riding Prestige Pandora

• USEF First Level Test 3 – Junior – Marley Trench riding Gitana RDL

• USEF First Level Test 1 – Junior – Ava Law riding Joey

• USEF Training Level Test 3 – Junior – Marley Trench riding Gitana RDL

• USEF Training Level Test 3 – Adult – Caroline Key riding Ray of Light

• USEF Training Level Test 1 – Junior – Madison Ameline riding Blue Ridge Dream On

• USEF Training Level Test 1 – Adult – Milly Serpell riding Sunday's Edition

• USDF C Test – Junior – Nadia Thompson riding Me and My Shadow

• USDF B Test – Junior – Nadia Thompson riding Me and My Shadow

• USDF A Test – Junior – Hallie Giuzio riding Durango