Patrick Nisbett will become the first Bermudian to represent Bermuda in Show Jumping at this year's Olympic Games in China.

Although the Island has been represented at the Games since 1984 in Eventing and Dressage, it is the first time the country has entered this particular event.

Nisbett will compete on his mare, Antille 8, after he came through a series of qualifying events ahead of Jill Terceira on Navantus.

Both riders were eligable to go to the Olympics after their fine performances at the Pan Am Games in Brazil last year. However Bermuda were allocated just one place, and the Bermuda Equestrian Federation created a series of events that would seperate the two.

The BEF set a series of events for both qualified riders Jillian Terceira on Navantus and Patrick on Antille to compete head to head, but prior to the second designated event Navantus incurred an injury, which prevented him from taking part in any other competitions prior to the designated deadline.

Jillian had a second horse capable of reaching the required standard by the name of Chaka 111 and on the final day of qualifying at a specially arranged event the combination reached the required standard.

However as Antille had taken part in the previously designated events and had attained some of the criteria and also had proven her fitness at the special event, she was declared to be ahead of Chaka and Navantus in the standings.

This means that should anything happen to Antille prior to the final entry deadline in July which might prevent her from competing then Jillian and Chaka will be the reserve combination.

"The orginal plan was to have three competitions, with the rider that came out on top going to the Olympics," said BEF president Michael Cherry.

"It wasn't a case of selection, or chosing one over the other, because they both qualified, and we specifically didn't want it to be about picking. But, as is often the case with horses, one went lame and it didn't quite work out like that, but the same principle was used. In the events that we did have Patrick came out on top because he had less faults in the events that they took part in, and so he will go to the Olympics.

"The sad part about it is that we have two people who have qualified, and only one can go. It's good for sport on the Island, but not so good if you're the person not going.

"But knowing horses, there is always the chance that something could go wrong between now and the July 16 deadline when they have to go into quarantine.

"And we have Jillian on stand by if that happens."