Holly Heikkila, a grade 6 student from Sudbury, Ontario is currently number 1 in her division in the National Equestrian Circuit. She and her 10-year-old pony, Leroy Brown, are competing for a spot in the Canadian National Championships at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto this coming fall.
Only the top 12 ponies in all of Canada will be able to compete in the finals. Holly and Leroy have attained Reserve Champion at 3 or 6 shows. They have been riding in the Large Pony Hunter Division, which is open to riders up to the age of 17.
In this division, the riders are judged based on accuracy over a course of 8 to 10 jumps of heights at 2 feet, and 9 inches. Additionally, there are style aspects, where the judge rates the quality of the pony’s jump and the position of the rider.
I started riding competitively at a local level at the age of five, and a provincial level at seven. Now I split my time between the National Gold Shows and the provincial level Trillium circuit.
Since I can remember I have in love with horses, I know I would be a rider even if I didn’t have a family involved in the sport. I love sports in general. I also play hockey, but there is something special about the bond you have with your horse. Also, the feeling of jumping a horse is just amazing”.”
– Holly said in an interview
Holly’s grandparents introduced her to riding as soon as she was old enough to sit on a horse. Her mother is also a competitive amateur rider and together they have spent a lot of time around horses and competitions.
Currently, Holly rides at Foothills Farm in Chelmsford and trains with Cathy Inch, Inch is featured in the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame as a high-performance coach in Canada. Additionally, she has received the Ontario Equestrian Federation’s Coach of the Year.
This is only Holly’s second show season with Leroy, and the pair has been quite successful.
When I first started jumping with Leroy, I could barely do an X-rail, which is the smallest jump possible. Being together for almost two years has really given us the opportunity to grow together and develop a partnership.”
– Holly says
Leroy’s owner is Karen Jackson of Flesherton, Ontario. Although Jackson doesn’t live near any of the shows, she often comes to cheer Holly and Leroy on.
Holly is determined to represent Canada in the North American Youth Championships.
Not counting the partnership I have with my horse, show jumping is very much an individual sport and the idea of riding on a team, and especially representing my country, is a big goal of mine,
– Holly
Horse Serious 