( L - R ) Ralston, Walter - Contributed photos

The exploits of young Jamaican equestrians Jason Walter and Gabriella Ralston at the recent Caribbean Equestrian Association Junior Show Jumping competition in Trinidad have brought into sharper focus the growth of the sport in Jamaica.

Fourteen-year-old Walter, a student at Wolmer's Boys, was too good for his rivals in the 14-and-under category with a perfect performance. Walter was the only rider to accumulate a score of zero faults over the two-day competition that featured riders from Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and The Cayman Islands.

Hillel's Ralston rode in the 16 and under category and placed first with an accumulated score of 17 faults. The 15-year-old is also the daughter of president of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica (EFJ), John Ralston, who was elated with the pair's triumph, especially in light of the fact that they were forced to ride unfamiliar horses.

Borrowed horses

"I'm very proud of both of them. Instead of moving the horses around, the Caribbean riders actually go to the different countries to compete and so they end up using borrowed horses. For you to be able to go to a different country, borrow a horse and beat them it is even more of an accomplishment than if you used your own horse,"explained Ralston.

The older Ralston pointed to the country's impressive record in past tournaments and paid homage to the programme's coaches while pointing to the sport's development on local soil.

"Jamaica has done very well in the competition for many years. Our riders have excelled from time to time and we are very proud of their accomplishments. We are very competitive, that is one thing.

"From a personal note, we have more riders now than we have had in many years and a lot more people are taking an interest in the sport. Our level of competition has increased dramatically due to the coaching of Susan Wates, Betty Wates, Trina Delisser and Yvonne Whittingham," Ralston said.

"Those four coaches single-handedly coach all the riders in Jamaica and it's a true testament to our kids going away and doing so well. It comes all from the discipline and expertise instilled in them by those coaches," he added.

There are approximately 40 active equestrians in Jamaica between the ages of five and 40 and the EFJ has recently started a 'lead-line' programme for four and five-year-olds in an attempt to extend the reach of the sport.

Negotiate the course

"This is where you actually have an older person with a rope on the horse to walk the horse around the course while the babies, in other words the four and five-year-olds, negotiate the course," Ralston explained.

The association will be looking to get a rider qualified to represent the region at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore with the likes of Stephanie Stewart, Justin Park and Brianna Schwapp among those down for contention.

The riders will compete among themselves for the right to represent the country, before riding against other top riders from across the region, for a chance to represent the Caribbean at the showpiece event.