Bermuda Olympic show jumper Jill Terceira has had to put her plans on hold.

But not because of an injury to herself or any of her horses.

Terceira, who is based in Holland, is pregnant and is expecting in August.

However she still plans to keep on competing until the end of April if the conditions are safe.

"We are very excited," she said of herself and husband, Belgian vet Michel Hayvaert, after finding out she was pregnant. "The baby is due in August so the CAC Games and the World Equestrian Games are a miss this year."

Terceira was hoping to got to the CAC Games in Puerto Rico this summer and was also hoping to qualify for the WEG in Kentucky later in the year where she would have joined Patrick Nesbitt who has already qualified. "It is with some obvious regret that I must withdraw my applications for both the World Equestrian Games and the CAC Games this year. I wish Patrick the best of luck at WEG in Kentucky and also hope Bermuda can put a show jumping team together for the first time for the CAC Games! That is a very exciting prospect."

And although Terceira will continue competing – she goes to Belgium next week – she said she will not take any unnecessary risks.

"For example, if the weather is poor and raining and the footing is bad in the ring then perhaps I will not jump in that class. I hope to be back in the saddle in October and back to international competition in November."

She said she was buoyed by the fact that a top German dressage rider who recently gave birth was only out of the saddle for two weeks.

"But I believe jumping is a little more demanding on the body so I will take my time and return to competition as soon as possible – in a healthy, positive way."

While her horses will not be competing while she is on maternity leave, they will be exercised.

"At this moment I will rest the horses from competition during my time out – but they will continue to be exercised daily. I have a very good team who will ride the horses as well as occasionally lunging them. Also my husband, as always, will keep a good eye that they continue to stay healthy."

Terceira just returned to her Dutch base from France where she competed for three weeks at CSI three star Villeneuve Loubet.

"These are the first shows of the outdoor season and the horses are adjusting to the conditions and the weather.

"I hope to continue to compete till May including the CSI two star at Moorsele, Belgium and also other shows – the CSI three star in Lummen, Belgium, the CSI four star in Antwerp, Belgium, the CSIO four star in Lummen, Belgium and the CSI three star in Lamprechthausen, Austria."

Terceira, who has competed at the Pan American Games, said she was not completely happy with her final weekend last Saturday and Sunday in France.

"Unfortunately I had a disappointing final weekend in Villeneuve Loubet. The horses all seemed to be a bit tired and did not jump in their usual form. Trump had an abscess from walking over all the many large stones on the grounds of the show – and only jumped in four classes over the three weeks of shows!

"It was a long, unsuccessful journey for him. Also there were a few days where the weather was extremely poor and I did not jump. The footing in the sand ring was too deep as it was absolutely saturated with water from the many days of rain. I did however have some excellent results with Ursula placing second, fourth, fifth, sixth and 12th in the 1.35 metre to 1.40 metre classes.

"I also had a fifth place finish in the 1.40 metre Small Grand Prix."