DRESSAGE received a big boost this week when Bermuda won Group 10 of the FEI World Dressage Challenge beating out the likes of Antigua, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad.

And this victory came after Bermuda finished last in 2007.

Susan Roblin, chairwoman of Bermuda's Dressage Challenge, said: "It's been a huge leap for us. The Bermuda Dressage Group gave the members an incentive to work really hard this year. We said we would pay their entry fee into this competition if they maintained a 60 percent or above mark in all our shows for this past season. We had six riders who had their entry fee paid and the hard work has really paid off. Last year we were at the bottom and this year we are at the top!"

Bermuda had 15 riders compete last weekend at the National Equestrian Centre at Vesey Street in front of two FEI international judges ¿ Jayne Ayers from the United States and Annette Fransen Lacobaeus from Sweden who gave the riders a clinic following the competition.

The World Challenge is staged so that riders in smaller countries do not have to travel abroad to compete. they all ride the same tests in front of the same judges and a ring with the same measurements.

Trinidad had the most riders competing ¿ 19 ¿ while Barbados and Jamaica had 16 riders each and Antigua and Haiti both had 10 riders in the competition.

Individually Bermuda's Paula George won the Advanced Class on her mount Wiriana with 64 percent while Rebecca Carne on Karuso was second in the Medium Class with 60.97 percent. In fact Bermuda did exceptionally well in that Medium Class with Ann Lindroth on After Dark coming third (also with 60.97 percent) while Anna Franklin on Worth Avenue was tied for fourth with 60.48 percent. Chalsey Roberts on Solo Crusader was sixth with 59.52 percent and Jackie Scott was tied with Roberts.

Bermuda took second and third places in the Elementary Class with Ann Lindroth on After Dark placing second with 62.92 percent and Stephanie Wilkinson on Esquire in third place with 61.11 percent.

And in the Preliminary Class for young riders first and second was taken by Bermudians ¿ Tyler Lopes on Playboy won with 71.90 percent while Ashley Gibbs on Landtango was second with 68.10 percent.

In the team competition Bermuda won with a total of 198.92 percent followed by Barbados with 197.75 percent, Trinidad with 181.94 percent, Jamaica with 180.18 percent and Antigua with 158.56 percent. Haiti were not represented in the team competition.