January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
'It's the biggest achievement of my career'
In the run-up to the Games, from July 13-29, we'll be checking in with the Bermudian competitors to find out how their preparations are going.
This week James Whittaker spoke to showjumper Jillian Terceira, from her training base in Holland.
How are your preparations going for the Pan Am games?
They are going very well at this moment- I have just last week qualified my second horse for the Pan Am games at a CSI*** event in Lamprechtshausen, Austria.
This means I am able to prepare two horses to compete and then choose the one that is most fit for the games (as you may only compete on one horse at the games).
How important is this tournament in your career?
This is by far my most important competition. I was the first Bermudian Show Jumper to compete at The North American Young Riders Championships in 1992 and it was a huge stepping stone to this day.
The Pan Am Games is the only qualifier we (Bermuda) have for show jumping at the Olympics next year.
Tell us about your horse. How long have you been riding this particular one?
I have two horses that will be in contention for the games. Both are stallions - one is from The Netherlands (where I am based) and the other is from South Africa.
Navantus is a 12-year-old bay stallion who I bought (through two generous sponsors) as a four-year old in The Netherlands. So I have been riding him for eight years. It has been a dream come true to have moved up the ranks (with him) from jumping 1m (3'3") classes to now 1.60m (5'4") classes and potentially the Pan American Games.
Chaka III is a 14-year-old chestnut stallion. He was originally imported to England in 1999, but as a result of an outbreak of African Horse Sickness has spent almost two years in quarantine. I have been riding him for the past three years.
What's it going to be like having two other equestrians competing from Bermuda? Is the sport strong in Bermuda right now?
It will be very exciting to have two other Bermudian equestrians competing at the Pan Am's. Unfortunately, I will not be able to support Annabelle Collins as her dressage competitions start a week earlier (than the show jumping).
I feel the sport is not very strong in Bermuda at this time - although I do see many riders from my era (on ponies in Bermuda) are now "getting back into the saddle".
That is good to see.
How did you get into the sport?
I have been riding since I was eight-years-old. I'm now 34 and will celebrate my birthday during the games.
I started riding lessons with Linda Sousa at "Embargo" in Southampton.
My grandfather, Claude Terceira, used to race his horses at Shelly Bay.
He bought my sister a pony, but I was hooked. I love the animals and the thrill of jumping.
What's your ultimate ambition as a sportswoman?
My ultimate ambition is to represent Bermuda at the Olympic Games and The World Equestrian Games. I would also like to reach the top 50 on the World ranking list.
As one of the only sports where men and women compete on an equal level I don't always consider myself as a sportswoman - but a sports person.
What's your greatest achievement to date? What other major tournaments have you competed in?
My greatest achievement to date is to qualify for the Pan American Games with two horses.
I have competed throughout Europe, Canada and America. I've competed in Austria, Belgium, Italy, France, Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Florida, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.
How did MJ Tumbridge's gold medal in the '99 Pan Ams affect equestrian in Bermuda and yourself as an up and coming equestrian?
It was very exciting! It made me even more determined as a Bermudian and as an equestrian.
There's always a danger in the sport of possibly losing your horse, as MJ did in the 2000 Olympics, is that something that weighs on your mind as you compete?
No, I can't think of what "may happen" as I compete. I concentrate only on doing my best and do not think of the negatives.
How will you cope with the conditions in Rio, will they play apart?
I believe the weather will be a major factor for the horses at the games.
It will be winter in Brazil, but still very hot. I hope there will be cooling systems and fans available to cool the stable area and the horses.
The ground can also be a factor, but from what I have heard the sand surface we will be jumping on will be of the highest standard.
What do you think your own chances are? What about your fellow Bermudian competitors Patrick Nesbitt and Annabelle Collins?
I don't like to say! But I will say I will perform my best for Bermuda and wish the same for my teammates. This is a sport, like any other, anything can happen.
What would you say are the most important qualities for a show jumping competitor?
The most important quality for a show jumper is the ability to focus and to concentrate. You must compete with your horse as one. It is another living animal that you must control, and yet trust and respect to perform and jump their best for you!
Is it hard, as an equestrian competitor, to have your achievements recognized with other sports dominating the media?
Yes, it is extremely hard. Equestrianism is considered an elite sport in Bermuda. I only hope, with our growing successes, the sport will grow in Bermuda and become more mainstream (as golf has done over the years).
I am sure more sponsorship and funding will be available as the sport grows and gets more coverage in the media.[[In-content Ad]]
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