TWO young Bermudian riders will fly the flag this weekend in the Cayman Islands when they compete in the 2007 Caribbean Junior Jumping Competition.Cori Williams, 16, and Jaylynn Hines, 11, will be competing against riders in this first leg of the CJJC from Antigua, Jamaica and the hosts Cayman.

Subsequent rounds take place in Trinidad (April 14, 15), Bermuda (May 12, 13), Antigua (June 23, 24) and Barbados (September 1, 2) with the final round being staged in Jamaica on November 3 and 4.

Accompanying Williams and Hines to the Caymans will be coach Michael Rodrigues from Hinson Hall stables. They all left this week and the competition will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Each round is a true test of the rider's ability as they have to ride four different horses, provided by the host nation, over four jumping rounds in the two days of competition.

The riders are only allowed five minutes to warm up with each horse prior to their round. The height of the jumps for the 16 & Under competitors will be 0.95 metres (just over three feet) and 0.8 metres (just over two feet six inches) for the 12 & Under competitor.

Williams, who turned 16 only a week ago, started riding in Bermuda at age four with Rodrigues initially and later under the eye of Nick DeCosta at Inwood stables. She has won many local competitions on various horses and is currently at school in the US where she is furthering her riding experience.

Hines, who will turn 12 years old next month, rides at Terceira's Stables with trainer Abby Bardgett. This is the first time either competitor has represented Bermuda overseas.

In the last nine years Bermuda has only won this competition once — in 2004 — while Barbados has won it twice (2005 and 2006), Cayman and Trinidad once, and Jamaica also twice.

Montpelier Re are the main sponsors of the competition.