Horses are species known for their size and strength, but few people have a relationship with horses like young riding champions Stephanie Wilkinson and JayLynn Hines. Both girls were able to talk to The Royal Gazette before competing in the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA) Junior jumping Competition this past weekend about the sport and approaching competition.

Stephanie, 16, and JayLynn, 12, both began riding when they were six years old, since then they have committed their time and energy to perfecting their skill.

JayLynn admitted she was first influenced to start riding after watching people jumping horses on television or in movies, Stephanie, on the other hand, admits she grew up around the majestic animals.

Stephanie said: “When I was born I was around horses all the time — I was around them 24/7. I have a natural love for horses and there’s a lot of dedication that goes in to it — that all adds up to my passion for it”.

Both Stephanie and JayLynn were chosen to represent Bermuda in the CEA jumping competition and were up against teams from the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Jamaica.

This was the third round for the CEA’s annual competition and there will be three more rounds; including Antigua in June, Barbados in September and Jamaica in November, before an overall winner is declared. Jaylynn said she was proud to represent the country in the competition: “It feels awesome to be representing the country. It is something I always wanted to do and I am so pleased I get to do it at such a young age.

“I hope we do well. We did well in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda has done well in previous years, so hopefully we can win.”

Throughout the years, both JayLynn and Stephanie have been successful in the sport; JayLynn admitted she was six when she won her first lead line equitation. She said: “In horseback riding, I went in my first show and won the class. I was so happy — I don’t think I could stop smiling.

Stephanie has won countless shows as well and was recently chosen for the Rising Star Scholarship. She said: “In order to win it you have to compete in a particular class. I was consistent in that and I was the youngest also”.

Similarly both champions hope to make it to the Olympics one day, and while Stephanie plans to be an equine veterinarian, JayLynn is leaning towards a career in architecture.

In order to prepare for this competition, both girls had to dedicate several days a week to riding, including two formal training sessions with a coach.

JayLynn, a student at BHS, admitted her schedule was the same and normal, but said: “Some activities I have had to give up in order to prepare for this competition. I have to get homework done way before the due date because with horse riding I could be at the barn from 3.30 -7 o’clock”.

Stephanie, a senior at Warwick Academy, has also made some sacrifices but believes she is coping: “Everyday after school I have to ride two horses so I have to be as quick as possible, but still thorough. It’s definitely hard riding horses at night and then going home to do homework”.

According to Stephanie’s mother, Linda Wilkinson, the parents also have to commit themselves to the sport. She said: “It does take a sacrifice that the parents also have to make, especially when the children are younger. It’s a financial and time consuming sport.

“I think the more your parents are behind you, the more successful you can be,” she added. Jumping is one of the most exciting parts of the experience for JayLynn, who said: “Its an adrenaline rush — its thrilling to be in control of such a powerful animal”.

Stephanie, who also finds jumping exciting, recalled that when she jumps she goes into a world of her own.

She said: “Once I am in the ring, I forget about everything outside the ring. I forget about the people and sounds — I just focus on the jumps. You feel like you are flying for a second or so — you just feel very powerful and confident,” she added. While this competition is exciting for the girls, they both admitted there would be some challenges, particularly with the horses. Stephanie explained that at each competition, the horses are provided by the host country and the riders only have five minutes to get used to the horse before the round begins.

She said: “When you have a horse underneath you that is very willing and very capable a lot of pressure is taken off you. You know that when you are slightly off they will be there to make up for that. She continued: “When you ride a horse that you don’t know, it’s unpredictable. You don’t have any expectations for them you just have to go and figure it out while you are out there. I haven’t rode any of the horses in this competition and I am at the same disadvantage as all the other countries”.

While there are certainly challenges in this competition, both girls were looking forward to seeing the friends they made in the past. JayLynn said: “The most fun part will be playing around with other competitors and seeing them again. Some of the competitors were in the last competition and I still email them and some of them have MSN.

“Its always a good experience going because you get to make new friends and build new friendships,” JayLynn said.