Member's News
No.44
May 2005
 
    

First Equestrian Course - Barbados
Neil Murrell, Barbados



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