TEAM Jamaica captured first place in the Caribbean Equestrian Association show jumping competition at the Kingston Polo Club and Equestrian Centre last weekend.

Tension was high as Barbados was at the top of the points standing, but with Jamaica and Cayman also within striking distance of the title at the start of the final round.

The Jamaican team was made up of Adam Lake, Jason Walter and Kelly Nunez in the 14 years and under category, with Gabby Ralston, Anna Carmichael and Briana Schhwapp in the 16 year and under category.

Jamaica’s build-up for last weekends’ championship, started when they travelled to Bermuda, Cayman and Trinidad earlier this year. As as a result they were a confident bunch going into the Jamaica tournament after dominating the other teams last month by placing first in Trinidad.

In Jamaica, day one of the competition ended with Bermuda in the lead, ahead of Jamaica with Cayman and Trinidad in third and fourth places respectively.

In the 16 years and under category, Briana Schwapp had an almost flawless performance by winning the category accumulating only four faults over four rounds, well ahead of Katie Moniz of Bermuda (12 faults), Garyk Jaggan of Trinidad (29 faults) and Alexandra Kennett of Cayman (33 faults).

In the 14 years and under category, Kelly Nunez had a credible performance, winning the category accumulating eight faults ahead of Tyler Lopes of Bermuda (16 faults), Ashley Scaletta of Cayman (25 faults) and Olivia Xavier-Hartford from Trinidad (74 faults).

This is the Jamaica’s fourth hold on the Bernard Payen Memorial Shield since 1998, having won previously in 1999, 2000 and 2007.