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When the term "equestrian sports" is used in Barbados, most people tend to only think of horseracing and polo, however there is another section of the sport that falls under this term and this is where the Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) comes to the forefront.
The Barbados Equestrian Association exists to Build, Encourage and Advance the continuing development and progress of Equestrian Sports in Barbados. They have approximately 125 active members consisting of riders of all ages, family members and persons who are just interested in keeping informed about the association.
The BEA is a member of the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) and participates in regional events annually, and is also affiliated with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and competes in the FEI World Dressage and FEI World Jumping Challenges annually.
The success rate of both the association and the riders is evident as they have made Barbados proud on numerous occasions by bringing home medals in the FEI Dressage Challenge held in Germany for two years running, as well as bringing Barbados the title of Junior Jumping Champions in 2005 in the Caribbean Equestrian Association's junior jumping competition. Barbados has also been represented in both dressage and show jumping at the Pan American Games in 1995 in Argentina, 1999 in Winnipeg and in 2003 in the Dominican Republic as well as at the Central American & Caribbean Games (CAC) in Venezuela in 1998 and Colombia in 2006.
We also have Barbadian's living abroad, but competing under the Barbados flag sanctioned by the BEA, thus bringing both Barbados and the association valued recognition. The Association locally hosts several dressage and jumping shows throughout the year at several different levels and locations. There is generally no charge for admission and the public is welcome. Both residents and non residents are welcome to join the BEA at a reasonable cost, should they wish to be kept up to date with the equestrian news within Barbados and the Caribbean, or they can be added to our non-members list for free to receive general updates.
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