Bermuda Equestrian Federation

The Bermuda Equestrian Federation was formed in 1976 to enable local riders to compete for their country internationally. Mr. Reggie Cooper, then President of the Bermuda Olympic Association invited Mrs. Joan Taplin, Mrs. Harriet Richold, Mrs. Mary Frances Gaglio and Ms. Ann Lindroth to the Pan American Games in Mexico as observers to see if the standard at that level was obtainable. It was decided that Bermuda could hope to compete in the 3Day Event at that level and could also hope to compete in the Dressage and Show Jumping in the future.

Upon their return they formed the Bermuda Equestrian Federation and in order to allow local riders to compete abroad they applied for membership with the International Equestrian Federation. Colonel Thackeray from the United States was sent to Bermuda to inspect our facilities and to assess our capabilities. He was very encouraging and supportive and upon his recommendation our application was approved.

The next task was to appoint a National Coach to spark our riders to further their training and make them aware of the possibilities open to them. This person was the late Mr. Hans Renz. Upon his suggestion, the Mini-Grand Prix was initiated at Government House. This was an event in which International show Jumping riders were invited to come and compete against Bermudians riding horses loaned to them by Bermudians. This event proved immensely popular and successful.

The first Bermudian to compete internationally was Peter Gray in 1980, who riding Gunnar, took part in the 3Day Event Competition at the ‘alternate Olympics’ at Fontainebleau. His coach, Colonel Michael Gutowski, continued over the years to give his support and training to Bermudian riders both at his facility in Canada and through clinics in Bermuda. The purchase of Gunnar was facilitated by the late Chummy Hayward, whose support of equestrians was unfortunately not recognized at his recent induction into the 'Hall Of Fame'.

At about the same time local junior riders were encouraged to set their sights on the North American Young Riders Championships. The first juniors to achieve this were Katie Cook and Garry Roque, coached by Carol Blackman (Terceira). Since then hardly a year has gone by when Bermuda has not been represented. To list a few there has been Nicola DeSousa, Dennis Cherry, Heather Cowen, MJ Tumbridge, Carla Simmons, Louise Wakefield, Joanne Rayner, Gina Flood and Peter Hind in Eventing, Michelle Ingham in Dressage, Jill Terceira, Melissa Pereech and Rayman Butterfield in Show Jumping. The most successful achievement was a bronze medal won in dressage by Michelle in 1993.

In Dressage the first competitor to represent us abroad was Susie Dunkley who went on to compete in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the World Championship in the Hague in 1994, Rome 1998 and Atlanta Olympics in 1996. We also sent a Dressage Team to PanAm Games in Winnipeg in 1999. The Team was Chris Taylor, Cathy Fox and Kevin Edwards.

In addition to all of these competitions the B.E.F. also sends riders to compete in International ‘Friendly’ competitions, most of which are for juniors in show jumping in the Caribbean. Overseas experience is essential to a rider's progress and we are extending our areas of competition with the help of contacts with clinicians and our affiliation with other countries in our FEI Group, which includes USA & Canada as well as the Caribbean.

Currently competing for Bermuda at the International level in 3Day Eventing is MJ Tumbridge. From our naïve start in 1976 we have sent individuals or teams to five Olympic Games, three World Championships and three Pan American Games. In 1999 in the 3Day held in Winnipeg we won a gold medal when MJ Tumbridge placed first, Bermuda's only PanAm Games Gold Medal. Peter Gray was also awarded a Bronze Medal in Indianapolis where he finished 4th behind 3 USA riders but only two riders from one Nation can win medals. Also in 1991 our eventing team of MJ Tumbridge, Peter Gray, Garry Roque and Carol Ann Blackman finished second at the event held in Georgia, but was not awarded a Silver Medal as the PanAm Games were held in Cuba where there was no eventing facility. A similar situation to 2003 in the Dominican Republic.

Patrick Nisbett a Bermudian rider residing in England has returned to Bermuda to give clinics, and has arranged horses for competitions in England, but is now extremely busy training and competing in Europe where he qualified for the Pan Am Games.

Jillian Terceira has graduated from the North American Young Riders to higher level competition and is competing in Europe, where she is now based, and has qualified for the for Pan Am Games 2007.

Other potential qualifiers are Tim Collins who has changed from eventing to show jumping, Chris Taylor and Annabelle Collins in Dressage.

The B.E.F. also holds international dressage and show jumping competitions here in Bermuda under the umbrella of the FEI and through the success achieved we have qualified riders for the finals held in Germany for the last three years. We also run a National Coaching Programme, bringing in clinicians from overseas and promoting certification schemes for riders, helpers, and instructors, as well as ensuring that our officials are given every opportunity to become properly qualified. A small Government Grant helps to subsidize these programmes, and we are also, now able to recognize eight of our members as certified FEI Officials in Jumping, Course Designing and Stewarding.

We also run the National Equestrian Centre for the benefit of all equestrians, where shows can be held throughout the year day or night.

The National Equestrian Centre is extremely busy during the season from September through to May. The popular Harness Pony Racing is held almost every weekend and holidays, and other shows and training sessions fill up the Calendar.

The B.E.F. is an entirely amateur organization in terms of being run by volunteer members, but being very professional in terms of commitment. In 1999 the Organization became legally incorporated.