Ki-Juan Minors has been competing in the equestrian ring for years now he is preparing to step onto another stage and hopefully find success in the music industry.

The 27-year-old started riding horses at age three.

His grandfather, Winslow "Bronkie" Minors, a long-time driver of horse and carriages, encouraged him to bond with horses before he could walk or even talk.

In his youth he found success on the equestrian circuit training at Terceira's, Spicelands Riding Centre and Inwood Stables. He has since reached professional status, meaning he gets paid to compete, with trainer Wendy Arndt-Hodges in the United States.

Despite this success, it is his singing that has been catching people's attention lately. In June, Mr. Minors won a 'Take the Mic' singing competition in Aiken, South Carolina, where he lives and works and since then has been catapulted to international levels.

As a result, he was contacted by UK-based producer Mike Ward and encouraged to put together a portfolio.

Singing before an audience isn't something new for the multi-talented Bermudian.

"My mom used to sing in an all girls group back when I was younger, so I learnt I had a [good] voice at a young age."

Mr. Minors performed in school plays as a teen and later performed as an opening act for Patti LaBelle in 2001 with the group Silhouette. The group was made up of family members Verlencia Aberdeen, Teanne Trott and Dion Ming and close friend Mellissa Furbert. He also performed locally, at weddings and Harbour Nights.

Still, singing wasn't his objective. Horses, he insists, were always his main priority.

Then this past June he had a lucky break. He entered the 'Take the Mic' competition in the US and wowed the judges with his R&B vocals.

He said: "I ended up winning the competition which gave me a free pass to the semi-finals of 'Who's Got that Vibe' which was in Atlanta at Café 290."

He won the semi-finals and placed forth overall in the finals, taking home the award for audience vote. He also won studio time with Bryan 'Pep' Johnson, a producer who has worked with Shady Records artists Eminem and 50 Cent, and was given the opportunity to write and perform his own song.

Mr. Minors said: "He (Pep) really liked my style. I was not just a regular R&B star like Usher or Omarion, I was bringing back a Chico DeBarge type of feel to my music, a more smooth and old-school type of feeling."

Though he traditionally sings R&B and gospel, he considers the song he recorded to have an "upbeat pop or hip-hop feel".

Horse riding is still his full-time job at the moment. Mr. Minors will compete in the City League Series in Knocksville, Tennessee on Monday and hopes to make it to the December finals in Tampa Bay, Florida. However, he also remains committed to his music career.

Mr. Minors said: "Given the opportunity [to sing professionally] I would take it. I would never pass up an opportunity in either riding or singing. Like I tell everyone, horses are in my heart and singing is in my soul."

l To follow Mr. Minors' progress in the City League competition visit www.cityleagueinternational.com and look for team #31 (IEC Aiken).