Heather Walker and Noblelux stole the spotlight at the first Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) show of the 2026 season, held at the welcoming Big “C” Stables in Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church, on Sunday, January 18.
Competing in the Super League’s 1.20m and 1.30m classes, Walker delivered flawless double clear rounds, navigating the tallest fences of the day with speed and precision, while earlier in the 1.00m–1.10m opening class, Naiya Hinds and Lipstick also impressed, setting a high bar for the season ahead.
The Lower League began with Class 4 at 0.50m, where reigning 2025 champions Antoria Bynoe and Jigsaw claimed the Adult win with a double clear and a swift jump-off time of 18.54 seconds. Monique Truss and the retrained thoroughbred Hunter finished second after a clear first round but picked up four faults in the jump-off. In the Junior 0.50m, Lucie Lemoine and Luca dazzled with a double clear in 15.23 seconds, narrowly defeating Antonia Bellucci-Velez and Morocco, who also produced a double clear in 16.07 seconds. Amelia Waterman aboard Sargeant Vaughn and Emory Belgrave on Annie Oakley rounded out the podium, with strong performances also coming from Kayla Gibson, Aria Cozier, Quinn Narine, and Rayne Alder.
At 0.60m, Adriana Watson and Cracklin Rose captured the Adult class with a double clear in 17.91 seconds, followed by Truss and Hunter in second and India Griffith with Orion GE in third. In the Junior 0.60m division, Jessie Galbraith and Annie Oakley finished first, followed by Cataleya Barrow aboard Lady Intent, Jasper Wood on Mr Blue, and Aria Cozier.
The 0.70m class saw Antonia Bellucci-Velez take victory on Daisy in 16.99 seconds, with Amelia Waterman and Daring David second and Alessandra Edwards riding Micky narrowly third. Imogen Hutchinson and Guns and Roses finished fourth after a rail, and Lia Follows and Kalina Straburzynska also reached the jump-off.
In the 0.80m class, only Zac Pitcher on Luca and Erin Skinner riding L’Diamante Beauvais Z reached the jump-off, with Pitcher winning in 18.15 seconds. Katie Haloute on Gaucho and Emilie Gale on Sweet Talkin Woman both suffered a rail at the final fence. Pitcher and Luca continued their streak in the 0.90m class, winning over Zoe Rosenberg and Corlato, with Jonathan Filardo on Largo third and Ivy Rosentreter with McCloud fourth. Josiah Straughn finished fifth aboard Brigadere Lightening despite two rails.
The day concluded with the 1.00m class, where Jonathan Filardo and Largo, as the sole competitors, completed the course with one rail down at jump four to claim the win, bringing the first BEA show of the season to a close. (JC)
