Medal winner carries CI flag to close YOG

(CNS): Following the announcement of her unexpected bronze medal win after her sterling effort in the team round of the equestrian events at the Youth Olympic Games in China, Polly Serpell carried the flag for Cayman at the closing ceremony. Serpell was the youngest competitor and riding a borrowed horse she was instrumental in getting the North American team a medal. Despite her 4 faults in Round 1, with zero faults in the second round she was the only North American Team rider who had their scores for both rounds count. As the first Caymanian to win a medal at YOG, she was invited to carry the Cayman flag at the Closing Ceremony. Sharon Hinds, President of the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation (CIEF), described the medal win as unbelievable. (Photo FEI/Richard Juilliart)

“I told Polly to enjoy the experience and have fun and make new lifetime friends,” she said. “Her coming home with a medal is the icing on the cake. It has made all her hard work, effort and family sacrifice worth it. This is an outstanding achievement, which could not have been possible without the assistance of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee, the Cayman Islands Government, FEI Solidarity, her parents, her coaches and Giorgio Zan.”