Akwesasne youth races to Mississippi Barrel riders in Akwesasne

While most 12-year-olds responsibilities range from making sure sporting equipment is properly aired out and that the family dog is fed, one young woman from Kawehno:ke makes daily travel to Rose Quarter Horses & Training Centre in Summerstown. Chores include making sure that her horse, Kelsey, is properly groomed and worked enough to keep in condition for their competitions. This young woman who aspires to pursue competing in the equestrian field for as long as she is able, is Jillian Tarbell.

Jillian began riding at the age of 9 after a friend at school introduced her to the world of competitive riding. Three-years after that fateful meeting, Jillian has her first major sponsor from Twinleaf, which allows her to travel to Mississippi in July having qualified for the Championship match in her chosen field.

“I love being with the horse, plus the adrenaline and the nerves – the nerves disappear as soon as I get into the ring, but the adrenaline is still there,” said Jillian who started competing in the area of jumping.

The sport of choice presently for Jillian is barrel racing, where she competes in the National Barrel Horse Association Canada in District 4. Barrel racing itself is part of a rodeo event where the horse and rider complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels to see who can achieve the fastest time.

The 2010 season was Jillian’s first official year of competing in District 4, as well as her horse Kelsey’s. Jillian’s instructor, Karen Aitken, has worked with Jillian and Kelsey to create a winning team. Aitken has made a name for herself as well in the barrel racing world, with her own children quickly moving up the ranks.

“Jillian would run away to go and see the horses down at the west end of Cornwall Island,” explained her father Bruce Tarbell. “She just took an interest…the third time I dropped her off to her lesson she was running off to get her horse ready.”

Barrel racing has become a family event for the Tarbell family, who travel together to see the fairs that accompany the events that Jillian competes in.

Having placed second in the Spring Thaw 2011, Jillian is gearing up to collect as many points possible before she travels to the Championship in Mississippi. With her accomplishments to date at such a young age, it will be great to see her passion develop as she strives to reach her goal of attending a university where she can continue riding while gaining an education in creative writing.

When asked about where she could go from here, Jillian humbly replied, “Who knows, Worlds are held in Georgia.”