Howard wins Farewell Final in Guatemala

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14: Claire Howard won the Consolation Final of the FEI World Jumping Challenge held in Guatemala last week.

Michael Cherry, Bermuda Equestrian Federation president, said: “There were competitors from many of the countries that participate in the World Jumping Challenge and Claire got off to a good start on her borrowed mount Royalty by finishing fifth in the warm up competition.”

To help keep expenses down, competitors were allocated horses based on random draws.

Cherry said that “does entail a bit of luck” as riders could end up with an unfavourable mount compared to their competitors.

“In the first round proper many of the riders had problems at the triple combination and unfortunately for Claire she and Royalty were amongst them and did not finish that round.

“This meant that they went through to the Farewell (Consolation) Final.

“In the first round of which they went clear and in the jump off had the fastest time putting Claire on the top of the podium ahead of riders from Uruguay and New Zealand in second and third respectively.”

Dawn Fox accompanied Howard to Guatemala.

Howard qualified for the World Jumping Challenge by finishing in the top two

Her group in the A category of the FEI Jumping Challenge, are invited to the final which is held in various countries.

The next chance for Bermuda riders is during the last weekend in March when the competition will be held at National Equestrian Centre.