Four Vanuatu riders have finished third overall at a Pacific horse riding competition in New Caledonia, competing against teams from across the region.

Alice Ferry, Lucille Mainguy, Laia Tarroux and Apryl Dinh represented Vanuatu in the competition, which tested riders’ skills, consistency and ability to control their horses under pressure.

The event consisted of two rounds, with four riders in each team. Only the three best scores from each team were counted towards the final result.

Vanuatu Secures a Podium Finish

Vanuatu recorded two clear rounds and two rounds with four penalty points each across the competition.

New Zealand won the event with seven clear rounds, while Vanuatu, North Province and South Province of New Caledonia each finished with eight penalty points.

With the three teams tied on points, their final positions were determined by the time taken to complete the course. Vanuatu recorded the second-fastest time among the three tied teams, securing third place overall.

VASANOC Congratulates the Team

Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) Secretary General Cyrille Mainguy congratulated the riders and their coach, Stephanie, who runs the horse riding club in Bellevue.

Mainguy said the team had faced an additional challenge because the riders competed on horses belonging to people in New Caledonia, while the New Caledonian teams rode their own horses.

“Congratulations to their coach, Stephanie, who runs the horse riding club in Bellevue. The riders were not riding their own horses; they were riding horses belonging to people in New Caledonia, while the New Caledonian teams were riding their own horses. We can say that was a slight disadvantage, but we are proud that our team made it onto the podium.”

The third-place finish marks a strong result for the four Vanuatu riders at the regional competition, demonstrating their ability to compete against other teams from the Pacific.