Nisbett thrills local crowd

Bermuda’s equestrian community held its Jumper Series on Saturday,  which saw World Equestrian Games rider, Patrick Nisbett give pointers on how to ride the challenging jumper courses. 

The courses designed by Heidi Mello, BHPA president and FEI course designer.

It was sure to test the memory of the riders as well as the agility of their horses. 

Winding, turning courses re-enforced Nisbett’s teachings from the week of clinics prior to the show, which required the riders to ride at a forward pace and to be effective.

The day started with Lucas Bridges and his well-rounded pony take first place in the Puddle Jumpers.

Jahdayna Samuels and her spirited and quick pony Dreamcatcher won the Speed Ponies class with Melissa Tatem-Samson and her horse Limited Edition winning in the Speed Horses .85m class. 

Jaeda Smith and StartStruck won the Speed Horses .95m class and the .95m horse jumping class.

Frances Weddup and Mr. Sandman won the Speed Horses 1.00m class and Claire Howard and her mount Just A Rose kept up their winning ways and won the Speed Horses 1.10m. 

The horse jumping 1.00m was won by Jaime Masters and Kir Royale with Michael Rodrigues and Scooby Doo wrapped up the pre-Christmas show to win the final class of the day, horse jumping 1.15m. 

Nisbett himself found some time to ride newcomer, Southern Eclipse to finish 2nd and third in the Speed Horse and Horse jumping classes respectively. 

Nisbett said: “We were lucky with the weather on Saturday and it’s been a long time since I’ve been back to attend a show in Bermuda. 

“It was good for me to coach and watch and the main thing I saw in our sport is the need for us to challenge ourselves more to get the show jumping at the level it was before. 

“We ride well and have good horses, so once we challenge ourselves, push the boundaries a bit, this will grow the confidence of the riders and the level of the sport.”

Mello said: “It was a great relaxed day. The weather was great and it was super to see Patrick work with riders of all levels and it’s so important to see a top athlete give back to the locals in the sport.”