The Bermuda leg of the 26th annual FEI World Dressage Challenge took place at the Botanical Gardens last Saturday, with ten local riders turning out to be assessed by two of the world's top judges.

The competition ? which involves 52 countries ? is designed specifically to give less experienced dressage riders, who would not normally have the opportunity to compete in international competitions, the chance to do so without having to travel abroad.

Bermuda have been placed in world group X together with Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Antigua.

On an unpleasant drizzly day, Hinson Hall Stables instructor Michael Rodrigues triumphed in the Advanced test on Nemesis ? a borrowed horse ? by claiming 58 percent of the available marks, followed by Vee McKey on her own horse, Pirouette, with a score of 52.6 percent.

Third was Jackie Scott ? on Mary Frances Gaglio's horse Just Cruisin' ? who finished with a score of 52.4 percent.

In the Novice test, meanwhile, Chalsey Roberts came first on her own horse Solo Crusader with 61.3 percent of the available marks while Christine Terceira on Kristina Gibbons' magnificent pony Welcome Shadow came in second with a score of 59.1 percent. Third was veteran rider and former event winner Ann Lindroth on After Dark with 58.5 percent.

In the Children's test, catering for riders between the ages of 12 and 14, Stephanie Kemp secured the best marks with her effort on Jungle Boogie, securing 62 percent of the available marks, while young Tyler Lopes on Playboy finished only marginally behind on 59.6 percent.

With no riders competing in the Advanced A (Prix St George) level this year, Bermuda's final score was calculated using the first-placed marks in the three dressage levels ridden ? leading to a combined percentage score of 60.43 percent overall.

Following the competition, all the local Dressage Challenge riders attended a video viewing and critique of their performances by the two visiting International Equestrian Federation judges and the following day were each given a 45-minute training session in order to improve their performance.

The judges, Victoire Mandl of Austria and American Jayne Ayers, have since left the Island for their next assignment in Haiti.

"We would have liked a few more riders to have turned out, that's for sure. But for those that did compete, it was a fantastic opportunity to have their skills assessed by two hugely experienced international judges and hopefully the feedback they received will help them to improve," said local organiser Roz Collins, mother of one of the Island's best dressage riders Annabelle.