Local News News Sports Increased interest in equestrian sports Barbados Today11/06/20220112 views Interest in equestrian sports is on the rise on the island, Dressage Chair of the Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) Roberta Foster said Saturday during the Caribbean Equestrian Association Dressage Challenge 2022. Saturday’s initial regular trials for the challenge will set up the final round of freestyle testing on Sunday. Foster said this has been the only international competition held on the island so far this year, but interest in the sport is steadily on the rise. “This is our fourth and our only international competition this year, but we had three warm up shows leading into this one,” Foster said. “The interest on the island is building … I am constantly saying that you need to do dressage. I love to be a motivator so I try to do my part … I love the sport.” Foster added that 35 riders have entered the competition this year, ranging from ages seven to senior competitors in their 50s. “There are 35 riders in all and about 64 entries in total, which is I think a record for the CEA certainly in Barbados … [COVID-19] made it difficult for us because we did not have a lot of competitions, we could not bring trainers in. I myself have a trainer here for a couple days this time but before that it was not easy.” (SB)