SPORTS SECTION E
Thursday, November 13, 2025
NFL PICKS - PAGE 17
Gabriela, 13, represents ‘242’ in FEI Dressage
GABRIELA and Gitano (Owner: Mercedes Urquiza Pardo) with Coach Jessica McTaggart.
BAHAMAS Equestrian sport has moved beyond the Jumping ring and into the Dressage arena, as 13-year-old Gabriela Souza-Cordovez became the first athlete to represent The Bahamas in FEI Dressage. Souza-Cordovez did it in style, winning individual bronze in the Children’s Division and team gold in the mixed teams at the CDI-W Mexico 2025 at Rancho St. Vincent, Mexico. The competition was part of the Borrowed Horses Project, an FEI education initiative allowing children (12-14 years) and juniors (14-18 years) to compete on borrowed horses. The CDI-W Mexico 2025 marked the first time the event has been held in the Americas as a part of a
GABRIELA Souza-Cordovez CDI-W (Dressage World Cup Qualifier) competition. Souza-Cordovez rode Gitano, a 13-year-old Mexican sport horse gelding owned by Mercedes Urquiza Pardo of Mexico, and was coached by Jessica McTaggart of Grand Cayman. The pair scored 67.143% in the CDICh Children
Preliminary B – Borrowed Horse Test and 65.350% in the CDICh Children Team – Borrowed Horse Test. The combined scores earned Gabriela an individual bronze, behind Mercedes Urquiza Pardo/Alma of Mexico and Paloma Herrera Iglesias/Cool Time LS Elite of Costa Rica. Souza-Cordovez was also a member of the gold medal-winning mixed team, along with Renata Herdoiza (Ecuador), Jaimie Fletcher (Trinidad and Tobago) and Bennet McWhorter (USA). Teams were mixed to include riders from different countries and from the Children and Junior categories. All tests were judged by a panel of three judges: Isobel Wessels of Great Britain, Frederico Pinteus
of Portugal, and Marian E. Cunningham of Peru. Equestrian Bahamas president Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre congratulated Gabriela on her strong performance. “Competing at this level on a borrowed horse is not easy," Ramsingh-Pierre said. "Gaby showed grit and grace in her performances. We are very, very proud of her achievement.” Ramsingh-Pierre also expressed appreciation to the competition organising committee and spoke of the implications for Bahamas equestrian development. "Hopefully these types of FEI-sanctioned borrowed horse initiatives continue as they are crucial to the development of our riders and the overall growth of the sport in the region.”
‘VJ’ and 76ers get 102-100 win over Celtics SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 19
LET’S GO: Philadelphia 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe (77) and Kelly Oubre Jr. react during the second half against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Chess Federation introduces chess in schools across The Bahamas THE Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF) is making bold strides toward transforming classrooms and young minds across the country. On October 6, the BCF officially launched its national Smart Moves Programme, an innovative scholastic initiative designed to introduce structured chess instruction into schools and inspire a new generation of thinkers, leaders and problem-solvers. The initiative comes just ahead of the joint global commitment announced by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation, declaring 2026 the Year of Chess in Education, a worldwide movement to integrate chess into classrooms. Now in week five of its first eight-week pilot, Smart Moves is already making a powerful impact in schools across The Bahamas. With the support of partners including The Gift of Chess, Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), The Pelagic Group, RDC Partners, Kanoo Innovation Hub, HAZMAC Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies, Little Island Hotels, and FIDE, Smart Moves is shaping the minds that will
shape The Bahamas. “We have also begun receiving donations from schools like Advantage Learning Academy, currently enrolled in the programme, to say thank you for the positive impact the programme is having on their students. “The energy has been incredible, students are rushing into sessions with excitement, schools are requesting additional sessions, and children are even joining extra online lessons on Sunday evenings. This programme is being embraced with passion, and that’s a strong sign that Smart Moves is not just timely, but necessary for our nation,” said BCF president Curtis Pride Senior. About Smart Moves Smart Moves is a pioneering scholastic chess development programme that serves as a cornerstone for building a strong and sustainable junior chess pathway across The Bahamas. Through a structured curriculum and delivery by certified instructors, students gain access to engaging chess education designed to strengthen academic performance, confidence, discipline and decision-making skills.