Sports Minister Dale Butler yesterday took a veiled swipe at some of the Island?s national sporting governing bodies while promoting the Caribbean Equestrian Association?s Junior Jumping Competition this weekend.

Butler was full of praise for the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, hosting the event at the National Equestrian Centre at Vesey Street between home riders, Cayman and Barbados, as being ?conflict-free, well organised and having up to date financials? as well as stating that they ?were very good at supporting and encouraging their young athletes?.

When asked if he was implying other organisations were not as upstanding, he replied: ?Well, I think it is clear that some other governing bodies have not been as up to date with their financial records as they could be.

?It is something we are looking into and addressing and we are keen to work with any of these associations to help them through this period.

?I think it is a problem that is being solved and I believe we are making headway and moving forward.?

Butler, meanwhile, said he was delighted to see the event, which Bermuda won last year, being staged here again.

?I would like to encourage all of Bermuda to come out this weekend to support Bermuda?s young equestrian athletes as they compete in the event,? he said.

?And I must say that I am always excited when we are able to showcase our young athletes in international competition on home soil.

?The Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport is pleased to support all of our young athletes as they strive to reach their higher goals in a spirit of friendship, competition and drug-free healthy lifestyles. I understand that our equestrians are aiming to go on to compete in the North American Young Riders competition that is the equivalent of the Junior Olympics, as well as the Pan-Am Games, and of course, the Olympics.?

The Caribbean Junior Jumping Competition is held throughout the year over six legs between Bermuda, Barbados, Cayman, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica with each country hosting a leg and competing in two others.

Bermuda have competed in Cayman already this year and still have Antigua to visit as they look to take the overall competition for a second consecutive year.

?It was great to get the monkey off our back by winning last year,? said chairman of the event Jefferson Sousa, who is backing the team of Kyle Hassell and Olivia Grace this weekend in the Under-17 event.

?It?s a very important competition for us and we hope to see as many people come out as possible to support our event.

?It is a great sport to be involved with, two athletes ? a rider and mount ? competing as one and it is a very rewarding sport for young people. Having to look after their mount year-round gives a young person some important life skills.?

The event begins at 9 a.m. both today and tomorrow. Admission is free.