Heather Walker, has certainly proved that she is a force to be reckoned with in Barbados equestrian sport having won the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) Jumping World Challenge Category C Competition in June on the Janine Haloute owned British mare, Noblelux, and now definitively winning the 2024 Eventing World Challenge Category C Competition this past Sunday.
No local equestrian has ever won two FEI world challenges in two disciplines in the same year in the history of the sport in Barbados, and Walker has now set the bar high for local athletes to follow.
Of the nine starters at the Archer's Hall Eventing Competition, which comprised of a dressage test followed by a cross country/show jumping derby on the Whitehall Equestrian Centre’s polo field, only four pairs completed the tough event.
However, Walker’s outstanding dressage test and clear derby round surpassed the three other riders and left her closing with a fantastic score of 31.3 penalties. This score will certainly be among the top international scores in the Category C FEI Eventing Competition.
In second place in this inaugural event was fifteen year old Zachary Pitcher on a very small island pony owned by the Big C Stable, Mr. Blue. This duo overcame the odds and jumped an amazing clear derby round to finish with 41.5 penalties and outshine two far more accomplished equestrian pairs, Naiya Hinds and Lipstick, who finished third with 42.2 penalties, and Adriana Watson and Soca Kid, who closed with 59.3 penalties for the fourth position.
Galway Girl was the best presented horse on the day.
Overseeing this inaugural FEI event were two FEI delegates, Rosanna Lagunes of Mexico, acting as the Dressage and Derby Judge and Head of the Ground Jury, and Sue Ockendon of Canada, the very experienced Technical Delegate. Local Dressage Judge, Alison Elliot was the second member of the ground jury on the day, and Monique Archer of Whitehall Equestrian Centre was the Event Manager and Course Builder.
Photo Credit: Alison Elliot
