Bermuda Equestrian Centre will host the first round of the Caribbean Equestrian Association's Junior Jumping Competition this weekend at Vesey Street.

Two representatives from Jamaica, Barbados, Grand Cayman and Bermuda have been selected to take part in this year's competition, with the Caymans set to make their debut.

Teenagers Daniella DeSilva and Lindsay Sousa will carry the banner for Bermuda during the fourth annual event.

Sousa is no stranger to the competition, having appeared in all four previous events. She will be using this weekend's competition to gain additional experience in preparation for her participation on the 'A' circuit in Canada, under the guidance of top Canadian rider Chris Pratt.

DeSilva enjoyed a fine outing last weekend, recording first and second place honours at the Caribbean Equestrian Association's Dressage Competition.

Julian Hyde, a Jamaican national who rode off with CEA honours both here and in Antigua last year, will again lead the charge for the Caribbean island. He will be accompanied by debutant Kelly Wates.

Jason Wates and Brittany Cooper round out the Jamaican contingent.

Defending champions Barbados will be represented by Adam Straker and Shari Haynes.

Grand Cayman will make their first appearance in the competition having been spectators during the previous event held in Jamaica back in November. Their hopes will rest solely on the shoulders of the McTaggart sisters, Jessica and Jodi, who will be closely monitored by coach Claire Boeg.

Eight riders will be competing on four horses with all participants riding each horse once.

Each rider's score will be determined by the total points accumulated over the course on all four rounds, with rider's times to be used to decide winners in the event of a tie.

"Overall, the event includes six countries. However, all entries are only permitted to travel overseas to compete in three events, therefore each round doesn't involve all the competition's participants," explained Mike Cherry, president of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation.

DeSilva and Sousa will be looking to improve on the Island's third place finish in last year's competition.

"DeSilva and Sousa are two of Bermuda's brightest prospects for the future. They have been competing well for quite some time now," added Cherry.

"In fact, DeSilva won the Caribbean Dressage competition last year."