General Information:

The Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) abides by their motto:-

"We exist to build, encourage, and advance the continuing development and progress of equestrian sports in Barbados."

There are approximately 125 active members consisting of riders of all ages, family members and persons generally interested in keeping up to date with the association.

The BEA is governed by an executive committee comprised of members of the association who are nominated and voted into their specific positions by the voting members. The positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer all carry a term of two years while the remaining positions of Jumping Chairperson, Dressage Chairperson, Public Relations Officers, Riders Representative and Show Coordinators all carry a term of one year.

Mr. James Elliot has been the Associations’ President for the past year and still has one year of his term remaining, as does our Vice-President Mrs. Stacey Humphrey and Secretary Mrs. Sandra Sampson. The post of Treasurer is temporarily being filled by our Jumping Chairperson, Mrs. Anne-Marie Bourne as our previous treasurer relocated and therefore had to resign. This post will be filled at the upcoming AGM which is held annually in November.

History:

The Barbados Equestrian Association was formed in the 1970’s and was governed by its’ first President, Sir Denys William. Prior to this, the Barbados Show Jumping Federation (BSF) was formed in the 1960’s, however following a lapse in activity, the BSF fell apart. It is since that time that the BEA has come to the forefront of equestrian sports in Barbados.

In 1992 dressage was officially amalgamated into the Association under the guidance of the first ever Dressage Chairperson, Ms. Elisabeth Roachford.

In 1994 the BEA became affiliated with the Fédération Equestre International (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport and has taken part in both their FEI World Dressage Challenge and FEI World Jumping Challenge’s annually since 1995. Mrs. Allison Elliot is a member of the FEI World Challenge Committee.

In 1995 Barbados was represented abroad for the first time ever in equestrian sports as they sent a rider to the Pam American Games to compete in Show Jumping.

The BEA is also a member of the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) which was formed in 1998, of which Mrs. Dianna Clarke, former BEA Show Jumping Chairperson, is Vice-President.

In 2003 the first equestrian team ever was sent to the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo where they finished 8th out of 19 countries.