Trinidad / Horse Racing/Riding

Riding is not a mainstream activity in Trinidad, despite the fact that horse racing is so popular - Trinis may well turn up to watch horses roaring round the Santa Rosa Park racetrack however sitting on them is another matter. That is not to say that equestrian activities do not exist in Trinidad but as with most countries, it is still a niche sport. 

There is an active Trinidad & Tobago Equestrian Association (formed in 1997) which is keen to push forward the national standards of dressage and show jumping. Regular coaching sessions and tournaments are held at Valmont Stables in Santa Cruz, which is also host to regional events. The TTEA is a member of the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA), and Trinidad & Tobago regularly competes against other member countries such as Barbados and Jamaica. 

There are a handful of stables on Trinidad, though most have private facilities for use of members only or are run as a co-operative by horse owners:   

Goodwin Heights Stables, St Ann’s - This has stabling for 14 horses, and has areas which can cater to both dressage and show jumping. Lessons are available from stable managers/coaches, Margaret Auerbach and Sara McCartney – Margaret Auerbach is a member of the Trinidad & Tobago dressage team and has competed in the Pan American Games.. 

Hidden Valley Stables, Santa Cruz - Run by coaches Anna Lisa de Lima and Steven Degheldere with stabling for 26 horses, two sand areas, a training ring, plus a cross-country course. Pleasure riding is available and lessons for both adults and children (they have some ponies and small horses), including dressage and show jumping.  Competition venue for Three-Day Eventing.

Stollmeyer’s Stables, Freeport - Patrice Stollmeyer is another dressage expert and a past member of the TTEA dressage team for the Pan-American Games.  Lessons in both dressage and show jumping are available with Patrice. Stabling for 10 horses, one large sand arena and stud farm. 

Valmont Stables, Santa Cruz  - Venue for TTEA and CEA show jumping and dressage tournaments. Facilities include stabling for 11 horses, one sand and one grass arena.  Contact stable manager, Deborah Thompson for more details.

The Trinidad & Tobago Equestrian Association (TTEA) - The association started off as the Trinidad & Tobago Horseback Riding Club in 1991 and became the official body for the sport in 1997.  A member of the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) the TTEA’s teams compete in the CEA’s regional tournaments and also in the annual FEI World Dressage/Show Jumping Challenge (International Federation for Equestrian Sports). In 2009 the TTEA reintroduced Three-Day Eventing.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:
The Trinidad & Tobago Equestrian Association (TTEA), www.ttequestrian.org,  Contact: Secretary, Alix Hobday, t 678 2081,  tteasecretarygeneral@yahoo.com