Puerto Rican Pairs Selected for 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games

Dressage

Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rican equestrian federation has announced two combinations that will represent Puerto Rico at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games at the Palmarejo Equestrian Center in Santo Domingo (DOM) on 24 June to 3 July 2023.

Mildred Colon, president of the Puerto Rican Federation of Equestrian Sports, made the team announcement.

"We feel hopeful and confident because we have a mature and experienced delegation," the federation communicated. "We trust that they will putt their knowledge and skills to achieve the medals."

For dressage two individuals will compete. They are:

Luis Reteguiz-Denizard on H. Vortex, a 12-year old Hanoverian by Heinrich Heine x White Star
Natalia Martin-fukuda on Zidane, a 19-year old KWPN gelding by Riverman x Ferro

Natalia Martin-Fukuda and Zidane at the 2023 CDI Wellington

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated territory of the United States with official Commonwealth status. It lies approximately 80 km east of the Dominican Republic and 65 km west of the Virgin Islands. Puerto Ricans have an intermingled Spanish, U.S., and Afro-Caribbean culture. The island’s social and economic conditions are generally advanced by Latin American standards, partly because of its ties with the United States (including the presence of U.S.-owned manufacturing plants and military bases in the commonwealth). Although that relationship has become politically controversial, the vast majority of Puerto Rican voters have continued to favour permanent union with the United States, with a slightly greater number favouring the current commonwealth relationship rather than statehood. A small but persistent minority has advocated independence.