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Nisbett takes
lead in Games jump-off |
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By Derek deChabert
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Patrick
Nisbett moved one step closer to earning his ticket to this summer's
Beijing Olympics when he won the first of three jump-offs against
Jill Terceira over the weekend.
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Both
equestrians have qualified for the Games but only one can represent
the Island at the Olympic event in August which will be held in Hong
Kong, necessitating a jump-off between the two riders to decide who
makes the trip to Asia.
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Nesbitt,
riding Antille, placed 20th out of 47 competitors, while Terceira,
riding Navantus, finished 33rd.
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The
competition was held in Lamprechthausen in Austria and was an
official Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) three-star event.
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Mike
Cherry, head of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, said he was
pleased with the performances of the two rivals and was interested
to see how the remaining jump-offs unfold, with two remaining.
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"Patrick
had four faults to place him in contention, but his time wasn't fast
enough to get into the jump-off," said Cherry of the weekend
competition. |
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"Jill had
eight faults and this result means that Patrick is ahead by one
rail.
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"We are
pleased with the results of the two, and they will proceed to France
for the next round of show jumping in two weeks' time."
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"They were
both quite pleased with their performances, and their horses were
performing at a high standard," continued Cherry.
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"To be in
the position the two are in at the moment is great for the sport in
Bermuda. |
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"They
deserve the credit they get and they both should be making the trip,
but it is a pity we can only send one."
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This
article appeared in the Royal Gazette 21th May 2008 |
