the World Dressage Challenge later this week.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) event, held tomorrow and Sunday, features the hosts Bermuda against riders from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

The event will be judged by Else Mouw of Holland and Pierre-Eric Jaquerod of Switzerland.

A spokesman for the home team said: "Bermudian riders will perform one of the three challenge tests -- Prix St-Georges, Advanced and Novice. A national team of four will be selected from among the 10 rider and horse combinations prior to the start of Challenge 2000 this Friday at 10 a.m. at the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street.'' The 2000 competition for Group IX is being held in March due to the threat of hurricanes during the regular month of October.

"In the previous World Dressage Challenge in 1999, the competition in Antigua was cancelled due to hurricane conditions,'' the spokesman said.

Bermuda's Nicholas DeCosta was the 1999 Group winner with his horse Makin Waves. He achieved a score of 60 per cent.

"Nicholas, who is now training in Canada, will not be defending his title.

However, his horse, Makin Waves, will be ridden by Dawn Fox, manager and trainer at Seaview Stables in Smiths Parish,'' the spokesman said. Bermuda has one competitor at Prix St-Georges level, four at Advanced level and five at Novice level. "In conjunction with the World Dressage Challenge, seven young equestrians, aged 12-14 years, will compete in the FEI Children's competition,'' the spokesman said.

"Their performances will also be scrutinised by the visiting international judges. The top four junior riders will be included in teaching clinics, conducted by the two visiting judges in an effort to improve the performance of all Challenge riders before they ride their test a second time on Sunday.'' Bermuda's entrants will be coached by Curtis Sage from Illinois who trained for many years at Temple Farms, the venue of the North American Young Rider Championships. He has been to the Island several times previously as a judge and trainer, and takes over from regular visiting dressage trainer, George Williams.