Young rider crowned SA Junior showjumping champ
A grade eight pupil of Uplands College managed to outperform some of South Africa's best equestrians during December to become the new SA Junior Champion for the individual 80cm class.
Kaylyn Tilden Davis and her horse Tic Toc took part in the SA Junior under 18 Equestrian Championship at Kyalami Equestrian Park in Johannesburg from December 9 to 15. The two gave a magnificent performance and Kaylyn was crowned the new SA Junior Champion for the individual 80cm class.
Kaylyn grew up around horses, has been riding from a very young age and has performed magnificently in various showjumping competitions around the country since 2014. “I started riding when I was in grade one but before then I was already walling around with my dad. I only started competing in 2014 at Uplands,” she stated.
The fourteen-year-old competed against much older riders and explained that the SA Junior Championships are for riders aged from 14 to 18. She added that horse riding was one of the only sports where any age and gender could compete against one another.
The magnitude of the occasion hit Kaylyn on the first day and she was very nervous to finally be living her dream. Nonetheless, she and Tic Toc did their best and exited the arena with pride.
It took her a day or two to realise that the SAs were just another competition and once she started to relax, she quickly caught up to the class winners.
The final round took place in a grass arena and althought neither Kaylyn nor Tic Toc had ever competed on grass before, they adapted well and had a clear first round. They had a perfect jump-off round to win the individual championship in the fastest time without any penalties.
“I have never been so scared. The first days were alright and I was well put together, my knees went weak and my ankles felt like they were going to break and I thought that I was going to fall off. When they called my name as the winner I started to cry but was very embarrassed. I just kept my head down and walking into the area, I just hugged my horse. The experience was unexplainable and was very educational as I was competing against some of the top riders in the country,” she said.
Participating in the SAs was the culmination of two years of preparation and Kaylyn said she was very lucky to have professional instructors at the Uplands Equestrian Centre to help her work towards her goal. “The first days I looked at as my practice for the final day,” she said, referring to the competition.
She not only physically prepared for the event, but also mentally. “I think my secret to my success was to always be positive and never ever blame your horse for something that you could have fixed. Also having my family there to support me and my best friend Jireh to help me go over my courses and what to do next. I think the most important thing is to always have fun.”
She has had her horse, Tic Toc, for five years, worked very hard to get him where he is today and achieved many victories on his back. Since she is getting too big for him, he is moving on to another girl. She recently got an off-the-track thoroughbred but he’s still young and her goal is to train him well so that they can compete in the SAs in a few years.
