Bermuda’s equestrian team for the CAC Games were dealt a huge blow yesterday after it was confirmed that both show jumping riders have withdrawn.

Jill Terceira and Patrick Nisbett, who are based in the Netherlands and Belgium respectively, both cited the cost of shipping their horses to Veracruz, Mexico, where the Games are being held, as reasons for pulling out.

Michael Cherry, the president of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, said each competitor was faced with a bill of $29,000 and neither were able to raise sufficient funds.

Terceira also confirmed to Cherry that she faced the added complication of returning to Europe via the United States, where her horse would have to be quarantined for 30 days, because of a lack of direct flights. She had investigated the possibility of leasing a horse in Mexico but that arrangement fell through.

It means Bermuda will have just one representative in the equestrian competition — Virginia McKey, in dressage.

“It’s a huge shame,” Cherry said. “They have both worked hard to get ready to go but they couldn’t raise the money.” He added: “It’s a huge expense but this is an expensive sport — and the competitors realise that.

“From the outset we knew it was going to be an expensive project. We did try some fundraising and raised a few thousand dollars but nowhere near the amount needed.”

The reluctant decision not to send the show jumpers could have a significant impact on qualifying for future major Games.

“The reason we were committed to going is that the Games were a qualifier for the Pan Am Games and that was then a qualifier for the Olympics,” Cherry said.

“So it’s a double blow. It’s a great pity but that’s horses.”

The dressage event gets under way on Saturday and McKey is already in Veracruz.

Her participation is no small commitment either, having driven down to Florida from Ontario before flying to Mexico. “It’s difficult to assess her chances,” Cherry said, “because she has been competing mainly in Canada and most of her competitors are in the Caribbean and Central America but she has scored some good points.”