start) -- when the Bermuda Classic Show Jumping Competition takes place at the Botanical Gardens.

No admission is being charged for the event offering a total of $20,000 in prize money and which features a number of premier overseas riders along with the best Bermuda can offer.

"I think it will be a thrilling day of horse jumping,'' said show director Pat Haycock, "we have some very good horses coming and excellent riders.'' Norman Della Joio, fondly known as `Stormin' Norman' heads a five-member foreign contingent also having Brazilian Andre Johanpeter, Americans Joe Fargis and Margie Goldstein as well as Mac Cone, the only rider to have been included on both the American and Canadian equestrian teams.

Sweden's Suzanne Ericsson has also been summoned to perform a Dressage Kur midway through the proceedings on the mount Colonel .

Special features include the Somers Mortgage and Finance Grand Prix, an individual event that has 12 competitors -- five foreign, seven local -- vying for a $2,500 top prize, and the Bermuda Commercial Bank Team Cup that has the five professional riders each leading teams containing four locals.

The remaining disciplines have prize money totalling $10,000. Pony Jumping, Power and Speed along with Hit and Hurry occur on Saturday, while Sunday sees Top Score and Pairs Fault and Out being performed.

Haycock added that Peter Truran had designed a great course for the horses and their riders to display their wares.

HARNESS RACING RAH Harness racing returns to Vesey Street following a two-week hiatus with 20 races on tap.

Once again eyes will be on the `A' division of the Free For All where Eddie The Great, driven by Charles Whited, enters as favourite after fending off challenges from Nateway and Shamrock Tuxedo to record a double dose of victories the last time out.

However, ready to pounce on any misgivings in terms of times produced is Ellie Wilson's fleet-footed pony Grand Marshal, who heads the field in the `B' division, that includes Pleasant Surprise and Catch A Fire.

Grand Marshal at one time appeared set to jump up into the top flight after two stellar performances only to have the aforementioned trio each record better times in the day's final race and leave him stuck in the lower reaches.

Tomorrow will also feature two new ponies making their Bermuda debut.

Abbe Dabbe Doo, regarded as one of the fastest two-year-olds in the United States during 1991-92, is due to be driven by Whited, while Michael DeCosta guides Diamond Way, a half-brother of Nateway.

VOLLEYBALL VOL Roger B. Chaffee overcame a strong challenge from Saltus to win the Secondary Schools Girls Volleyball Tournament this week.

Chaffee emerged victorious from their round-robin series and then the semifinals before defeating Saltus 15-12.

In the under-15 division, Saltus A won their round-robin with an unbeaten record. MSA were runners-up, their only loss coming at the hands of Saltus A, 15-13.

In the B Division, Northlands placed first and MSA second.