Two Bermuda showjumpers leave for Ecuador on Monday to represent the Island at an international competition where they will take on more than 100 riders from around the world.

JayLynn Hines and Christy Corbett were selected to represent the Island after the Bermuda Equestrian Federation received an invitation from their Ecuadorian counterparts to send riders to compete in the II Copa Internacional Mitad Del Mundo junior showjumping competition.

The pair were selected from a shortlist of local riders by the BEF, based on their experience in competition, the height they were able to jump and their performances in events in Bermuda.

"The Bermuda Equestrian Federation is committed to the development of its riders and is pleased to be able to send JayLynn and Christy to this competition as a means to increase their skill levels, gain competition experience and, of course, be ambassadors for our Island," said BEF secretary Linda Hines.

Thirteen-year-old Hines will compete in the Children 'B' category, and is already a seasoned veteran of international competition having first represented her country at the Caribbean Equestrian Association's championships in the Cayman Islands when she just 11.

Corbett, 18, will take part in the International 'B' category.

"I always wanted to do this, I love horses," said Hines. "I've lost count of number of competitions I have taken part in Bermuda, and I've competed in the Caribbean and US as well."

At home Hines currently rides a horse called The Patriot, but in next week's competition she will have to perform on a strange horse that is randomly selected in a draw before the event starts. Riders are then given just one day, and a maximum of six practice jumps, to bond with the horse and ready themselves for the three-day competition.

"I'm kind of used to it now, because it's the same everywhere," said Hines. "But it's hard at first because you have to try and get used to that horse and most of the time you only have a short period of time to do it.

"I just have to work with the horse and see how everything goes and adjust to the horse if I have to. I just want to be the best."

Corbett has been riding for 11 years, and like Hines will have to leave her horse, Bismark, behind when she travels to Ecuador. This will be the first time that she has competed in a showjumping competition abroad.

"I just want to do the best I can and do well representing my country," she said. "It will be hard, not having a bond with the horse, but you just have to work with what you have got. You just have to try and create a short-time bond with the horse and do the best you can."