No.44 May 2005 |
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The Southern Palm Beach Hotel situated on the idyllic
south coast of Barbados provided the ideal location for the first ever
Olympic Solidarity, Federation Equestrian International (F.E.I) Regional
Coaching Course on 9th - 15th December 2004.
Irish born coach Susanne Macken delivered the Level 1 coaching course
to a contingent of fifteen (15) participants from six (6) Caribbean countries
including: Barbados, Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago,
Haiti and the Cayman Islands. FEI Group four (4) chairperson Kate Jackson
also attended the sessions as an observer and was able to meet and interact
with the regional representatives.
The course, divided equally between theory and practical
teaching focussed on the disciplines which make up the sport of Equestrian,
Dressage and Show Jumping. Macken, who has been teaching equestrian for
30 years, indicated “that the teaching of the course in the region
was part of a new mandate by FEI to spread and develop the sport and,
that after completion, participants would be allowed to teach the sport
anywhere in the world and to those aspiring to reach the Olympic Games”.
Naturally, the only all woman managed (and members)
sports association, the Barbados Equestrian Association (B.E.A) was proud
that Barbados had been chosen to host this first regional course. Vice
President, (B.E.A) Naomi Roachford noted “that through the Olympic
Solidarity Movement, the course allowed those in Barbados to gain experience
that would have been impossible for us to attract on our own, and that
the week long course would provide coaching infrastructure that would
take the sport to a totally new level”.
The Barbados Equestrian Association (B.E.A) was
formed in 1976, with presently eighty (80) members, there are three (3)
main riding centres on the island. Their most noticeable achievement to
date, is rider Akoele Roachford placing second (2nd) overall at the finals
of the World Dressage Challenge in Hagen, Germany, in June 2004. Indeed
for a small country, with limited resources, this result is outstanding
and this Olympic Solidarity Course should provide greater competitive
and development impetus for the region.
For information on the Barbados Equestrian Association,
contact President, Allison Elliot or Secretary, Jenni Wilson at (246)
424-7368 alison@ellcorentals.com
or bea@sunbeach.net Neil Murrell
Deputy Director Of Sports National Sports Council Blenheim My Lord’s HillSt. Michael BARBADOS ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-may2005.htm |