A jubilant Annabelle Collins last night reflected on her encouraging Pan-Am Games showing after securing a tenth-placed finish in the dressage final.

The Barcelona-based Bermudian produced her premier performance of the Games in the individual final at the National Equestrian Centre in Rio yesterday, riding to a melody of music by the seminal Stevie Wonder.

It was the first time the 29-year-old had been exposed to such an intense level of competition and so a top-ten finish resembled a major achievement for Collins and her team — who were awarded 65.350 to give them an overall Games score of 64.550.

She had earmarked the freestyle event as her favourite dressage discipline prior to the Games and did not disappoint with an exquisite ride — greeted with hearty applause from the hundreds of spectators scattered around the stadium.

Her horse Medici — a Westfalen Stallion — recovered from his minor blip in Monday’s qualifier to give a stellar showing when it mattered most and was duly praised by his rider.

“Medici was super and felt really fresh and good in the arena,” said Collins.

“We really tried to go for it and did the best we could — it was a nice way to end our Pan-Am Games.

“I really enjoy the freestyle event because you can choose your own lines and your own music so eventually you end up riding a completely unique performance you make for yourself and that’s a very satisfying thing to do.

“I have to be happy as it’s my first time at a big event so I can’t help but be really happy — long may it continue.

“It’s the first big international event I have competed in and it’s nerve racking at times. But the more events like these I do the more natural it will become for me.”

Despite being tipped for a possible podium finish, Collins always maintained a top ten spot was her tournament brief and duly achieved that particular remit.

“I came here thinking would“I came here thinking wouldn’t it be great to be in the top ten, so I’m happy with the job we did. It’s been a few months of extremely hard training.

“It’s been an amazing experience and it’s been wonderful having my family here. My groom has been superb and my trainer Leida Collins who is also my sister-in-law has dedicated so much time and energy — I wouldn’t be here if it was not for her.

“I will go back to Holland now for one or two shows and then I’ll head back to Barcelona to give Medici a bit of a break. I’ll then look to build him up for the top level, hopefully Grand Prix, over the winter and see where we go from there.”

Collins had qualified for a place among the last 15 competitors in the individual second qualifier on Monday, finishing 12th with an overall score of 63.750. She had earlier came 10th in the individual first qualifier at the weekend with a score of 65.000.

The National Equastrian Centre, in the Deodoro Sports Complex, is in the heart of a military village — the Vila Militar in the west section of Rio de Janeiro.

The equestrian eventing and showjumping will also be hosted at the complex next week, with Bermuda competing in the latter.