BOGOTA, Colombia:

EQUESTRIANS Sofia Asher and Sara Misir flew the Jamaican flag high at the FEI International Children's Jumping competition in Bogota, Colombia, which took place September 4 to 10.

Asher and Misir had clear jumping rounds during the first three preliminary days of the competition, landing them in the finals on September 10.

Asher went clear in the final round, leading to her participation in a jump-off judged by the fastest speed times and jumping faults. She again went clear in the jump-off with a time of 26.73 seconds. This placed her fifth, less than a second off the winner's time of 25.85 seconds. Prizes were awarded for positions one to seven, and Asher's fifth-place finish secured for her a prize ribbon. Forty-six contestants from around the world, including, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Brazil, Peru, etc. participated in the international competition.

Misir, having gone clear in the preliminary rounds, entered the final day with a great chance at a podium finish. She rode well, but knocked down one obstacle, thereby eliminating her from the finals, following clear rounds by a few other riders.

Coach Susan Wates was ecstatic about the performance of the girls. "Both Sofia and Sara rode beautifully and confidently throughout the entire week. In a tough competitive field of riders from all over the globe, for both to make the finals was in itself a tremendous achievement and a boost for equestrian sport in Jamaica."