Young equestrians on a mission to represent Trinidad and Tobago

STORY BY DAVID SCARLETT

HORSE RIDING is an art, and every work of art has an artist. It requires sheer bravery, courage, skill, strength and a high level of composure that the average person is rarely able to fathom. Impressively, Trinidad and Tobago has been excellently represented in equestrian sport by three teenage girls who have been striding in success throughout their juvenile careers.

Sisters Justynne and Jaimie Fletcher, along with Annabella Hill, are currently TT’s brightest junior equestrians. The trio recently competed in their first overseas contest at The Ridge (owned by US Olympian Nona Garson) in Wellington, Florida at the end of February, and they garnered regional praise following their astounding performances.

Coached by American equestrian expert Jaime Morillo – a Level Three coach certified by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) – the Fletcher sisters rode several horses in the jumping categories of the competition. Justynne rode Dulce de Leche and Jaimie rode the 17.1 hand horse (HH) Gentle Mr VDM. Both girls performed admirably with Justynne placing first in the 0.90m Jumper Table Two class, first in the 1.10m High Child/Adult Jumper Classic and third in the 0.90m Jumper class. Jaimie placed second in the 0.90m Jumper class and second in the 1.10m High Child/Adult Jumper Classic. The occasion marked the first time that both riders competed at the 1.10m height.

The sisters began their equestrian journey in 2016 when Justynne was seven years old and Jaimie was four. Over the years, they have been training and developing under several local coaches, as well as Morillo. Now – at ages 15 and 12, respectively – the girls are thankful for the opportunities that they have been afforded to compete internationally.

Justynne was featured and supported by the Ministry of Sports’ "Pink Reign" campaign in 2022. She also claimed two awards at last year’s TT Equestrian Association (TTEA) end-of-year ceremony: the best Novice Junior in the Junior Jumping category and second place in the Junior Dressage First Level. At the same ceremony, Jaimie was named the best Maiden Junior in the Jumping category and beat her older sister to claim first place in the Junior Dressage First Level.

Their parents Clive Fletcher and Inga Fletcher have been proudly supporting them throughout their high-flying journey. Inga, a Dressage Delegate under the TTEA, spoke with Newsday about her daughters’ successful career so far. She said, “Horse riding is not just a physical activity, but it also teaches valuable life lessons such as responsibility, patience and determination. Our girls are committed to the sport and equestrianism will not only improve their riding skills but will also benefit them in all areas of life, as evident by their progress over the past eight years.”

She added, “The equestrian adventure (in Wellington) was a successful exposure to competing internationally. They (the girls) would like to compete at higher levels and in more international competitions. This requires a great deal of dedication, hard work and training. But, with the right mindset and guidance, it is definitely possible.

“It is important for them to set achievable short-term goals and work towards them. This will only lead to achieving their ultimate goals of representing Trinidad internationally.”

“What I want to see from them in the future is their continued growth and development in the sport, as well as their dedication and passion towards it. I hope that they stay motivated and keep pushing themselves to reach new heights. With these attributes, they can achieve great success in horse riding and beyond.”

The Fletcher girls’ riding compatriot, Annabella Hill, has also been succeeding in the sport. Currently aged 14 years, she began horse riding at the age of five. However, in contrast to the Fletcher sisters, Hill competes in the Dressage category.

Since 2019, Hill has been a part of the TT Equestrian team and has represented the nation in the Regional Dressage Challenge (RDC) and the Regional Jumping Challenge (RJC) hosted by the Caribbean Equestrian Association (CEA). She was successful in the Children’s Dressage Freestyle in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Show Jumping competition in 2020 and excelled at the 2019 Beads of Hope Charity Dressage Event in Barbados.

She is also a member of Florida-based Chandler Dressage Inc where she is coached by Philesha Chandler.

At the Wellington competition in February, Hill achieved success with 65.8 per cent riding the Training Level Three test in the competition. Following her achievement, she proudly stated, “I aspire to proudly represent TT wherever I go!”

Prior to the contest in February, she competed at the Wellington Classic Dressage Competition in January, which served as her 2023 season opener.

Like the Fletchers, she is zealously supported by her parents, Hayden and Simeone Hill. An elated Simeone told to Newsday, “Annabella is currently in a good space right now; we should see steady progress with the required training to facilitate her competing at the highest level.”

Coach Morillo was also happy to see the progress of the three girls and praised their supporters on and off the course. He said, “Coaches in Trinidad are doing a very good job. I can testify to this because, when I take the responsibility of the riders in the US, I am able to verify their knowledge, both in jumping and dressage. The riders arrived at our stable dominating the basics of the sport and I can build from that.”

“Trinidadian riders in Wellington and taking positive strides forwards and are achieving success through a carefully and finely planned progression sequence. I am pleasantly surprised by the level of commitment from the athletes and their families. Let’s keep in mind that the Children and Junior riders heavily depend on their parents’ desire to promote their offspring in the sport. Good work Trini riders, coaches and parents. Well done!”

The TTEA did their part in congratulating the rising stars through a press release saying, “The TTEA is extremely proud of their young riders’ accomplishments at their first overseas competitions.”