Haley Ball and Tyler Lopes will fly the flag for Bermuda this weekend in the first leg of the 2010 Caribbean Equestrian Association's Junior Jumping competition to be held in Barbados.

Lopes is one of Bermuda's most experienced young riders and has represented the Island aboard numerous times while Ball will be making her debut as the 14 years and under rider.

Lopes will be riding in the 16 years and under division.

Ball beat out six other junior riders in September last year when Bermuda Equestrian Federation held their CEA trials to select the team.

Bermuda will be up against the likes of Antigua, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago in the competition over the course of the year.

Three teams travel to the islands this weekend according to their rotation for the year and are represented by two riders, a 14 years and under rider and 16 years and under rider.

On Saturday and Sunday Bermuda will compete against riders from Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad according to the rotation of the CEA.

McKeisha Smith, a former Bermuda rider, will serve as manager and coach for the Bermuda team and will also travel to Barbados.

Smith explained that Ball and Lopes would ride a series of local horses from Barbados that they have never ridden prior to the competition and would only have five minutes to get used to them on competition day.

This is Smith's second stint as manager/coach of Bermuda's CEA team.

Lopes, who rides out of Terceira's stables, competed overseas last September at the Children of the Americas Dressage Invitational at Bear Spot Farm in Concord, Massachusetts. Lopes is a veteran of the CEA competition, having previously competed in the 14 years and under division.

Ball rides out of Spicelands Riding Centre.

Last Sunday the Bermuda Equestrian Federation also held a schooling show which saw the Island's junior riders compete in the CEA trials to see who will travel to the next CEA competitions.

Julia Lines from Spicelands Riding Centre narrowly beat out Jahdayna Samuels of Inwood Stables to win the 14 and under trials.

Each rider had to compete on their own mount and one other.

Final results

1 Julie Lines - Double clear round; Time - 101.67 seconds

2 Jahdayna Samuels - Double clear round; Time - 102.40 seconds

3 Jaeda Smith - Double clear round; Time - 113.24 seconds

4 Khaleb Tota - 8 faults in round 1; Clear in round 2; Time - 106.45 seconds

5 Haley Ball - Elimination in round 1; Ineligible to compete in round 2

Tyler Lopes was the only entry for the 16 & Under trials.

Bermuda will hold their 2010 leg of the CEA Junior Jumping competition on May 8-9 and will host Barbados, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.