Two of Bermuda's best young riders leave the Island on Monday bound for Chile where they will compete against some of the best young show jumpers in North and South America.

Azaria Smith and JayLynn Hines will represent Bermuda at the FEI San Cristobal International Jumping Cup in Santiago, Chile. The two were chosen during trials in September.

Travelling with the two –14-year-olds will be their coach Catrin Glawischnig who has been training both riders at Spicelands for the past year.

"This is a big moment for both Azaria and JayLynn," said Glawischnig.

"They are going to be competing against some very good riders in Chile.

"It is a big international horse show with riders from North, South and Central America as well as the (Caribbean) islands.

"It is a great opportunity for them to go out and learn because Bermuda is so small. We do have very good riders in Bermuda but not in great numbers.

"Now they have the chance to get out there and compete against these other riders.

"It is going to be a great learning experience for them ¿ it will broaden their horizons.

"There is so much more competition (abroad). Right now they only see the riders in Bermuda. It is such a big door opener for them if they want to improve and get better.

"They may be good here but it is only when you get out there when you find out how good you really are."

Mike Cherry, president of the Bermuda Equestrian Association, said: "They will be competing on borrowed horses which they will share with a local Chilean rider.

"We had trials in September to see who would go and they came out on top of the heap."

The riders will compete for team and individual gold medals against 23 other countries including Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Venezuela and the United States.

Coach Glawischnig, who arrived in Bermuda two years ago from her native Austria, said: "I have been teaching them for the past year and I have seen them improve so much.

"Right now Azaria is moving from the pony to the horse ¿ this will be a completely new level for her.

"JayLynn has been riding the horse for the past year and has been extremely successful.

"They are now ready to take the next step up and go away and compete against top riders overseas."