Robin Stempel enjoyed a highly encouraging debut outing on the international stage, securing two very respectable finishes at the North American Youth Championships.

The prestigious event, held in Traverse City, Michigan, and run under the auspices of the Federation Equestre Internationale — the international governing body of equestrian sport — attracted the best riders aged between 14 to 21, from the region including United States, Canada and Mexico.

Competing on board her gelding Rossano Royal 2, Stempel secured a nineteenth-place finish in the Young Rider Team Test with a combined score of 61.882 per cent and a 21st-place finish in the Young Rider Individual Test with a combined score of 59.039 per cent.

Christian Simonson, of the US, riding Zeaball Diawind captured gold in all three dressage divisions — the Individual Youth Rider Test a combined score of 75.353 per cent, musical freestyle a combined of 78.935 per cent and was also a member of the winning American team.

Angela Halloran Smith, the national dressage coach, who accompanied Stempel to Michigan, hailed the efforts of the Bermudian equestrian among the region’s elite young competitors.

“Robin is an exceptional competitor who handled continuous challenges during the entire week, including Mother Nature tossing in a tornado,” she said.

The competition was delayed by a day because of severe storms causing damage and power outages across the Midwestern state.

Halloran Smith added: “It was absolutely thrilling to have a Bermuda equestrian competing in the company of the very best young riders in North America; her level of skill and technique were right there.

“Myself and Bermuda’s equestrian community eagerly look forward to seeing what the future holds for our rising star Robin.”