More than 50 riders took part in the Bermuda Dressage Group’s second “On the Road Show” at Inwood Stables and Spicelands Riding Centre at the weekend.

The BDG, who held their first event in December, travelled to both stables in Hamilton and Warwick to judge riders and their horses in their entry-level tests.

The competition allowed for riders to experience dressage in a competition setting without the added costs of travelling their horses, which are often hired for the day, to the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street.

Claire Salmon, the BDG secretary, said: “We’re so thrilled with this series; it’s proved more popular than we had dared to hope. Dressage can appear daunting or stuffy so we’re showcasing that is not the case. It’s the fundamental training for all ridden equine sports and it’s fantastic to see that more and more riders are catching the bug.

“We have definitely spotted a few combinations who need to come to the official dressage shows, they are good enough to be competing with us in the Caribbean Equestrian Association competitions, they just don’t realise it!”

Angela Halloran-Smith, the BDG coach, added: “The improvement speaks for itself; it’s evident that these riders have listened to the feedback from the first show and practised hard with their coaches.

“I’ve no doubt that riders we have seen today, with practice and determination, can be riding for Bermuda in the future.”

The highlight of the two-show series were the Best Improved Awards. The prizes, one for each barn, were a private lesson with international rider and FEI judge Mercedes Campdera from Mexico.

Campdera will travel to Bermuda in November as part of the international delegate for the established riders when they compete in the FEI World Dressage Challenge.

The best improved from Inwood was Kaitlyn Burnard who improved her Introductory Test A score from 60 per cent to 70.90 per cent.

Ellen Butterfield, of Spicelands, took the other award, her Introductory Test B score improving from 58.80 per cent to 67.50 per cent.