Trainer Erika Adderley-Coello and LCIS students at an international competition .
riding opportunities to visitors to The Bahamas on the islands of New Providence , Grand Bahama , Eleuthera and Little San Salvador . Some of these stables also support a growing equestrian scene that is continuing the nation ’ s long tradition of riding . Equestrian Bahamas , the official national federation of horse riding in The Bahamas , governs the training and certification of riders as well as competitions in local hunter / jumper events .
Mariposa Stables , in Mount Pleasant near Lyford Cay , was founded in 2008 by Mrs Erika Adderley-Coello and her husband Mr Miguel Coello . Ridership has grown from 14 to nearly 50 since then . Mariposa is also where 12 LCIS students train as part of the school ’ s Elite and Developmental Sports ( EDS ) Programme .
Since 2014 , as part of a well-rounded International Baccalaureate education , LCIS has offered “ a range of high-quality coaching and training opportunities to athletes who have outgrown the regular school-mandated PE classes and after-school clubs ,” says Assistant Principal Mr Frederic Bournas . For equestrian athletes , the partnership with the stables offers the opportunity to integrate their PE lessons and training at the nearby 9.5 acre site . Training occurs during elective time on Fridays and an expanded PE lesson during the week . Students can arrange further single or group training sessions at other times , with some of them riding 4-5 times a week .
Mariposa organises clinics with highly skilled judges , boards private horses and supports the training of EDS students for local and international horse shows . Categories of competition include Equitation Championship , Hunter Championship , Hunt Seat Equitation Medal and a Pony Hunter Division . The season starts on the local circuit in October and competition continues through to spring and summer in Florida and Canada . Mr Bournas explains that LCIS aims to create a scholastic riding league with other schools on the island for young riders of all levels in the 2016-17 school year .
Though much time has passed , LCIS Equestrian students and other local riders are helping to carry on the love of horses and riding that blossomed in the heyday of Hobby Horse .
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