“I’m always trying to beat my personal best – not other people,” says Rylin Pearson, an avid equestrian who is just steps away from claiming a place on the world stage. In just three years of riding, Pearson has already captured the attention of track participants and spectators alike. Since joining the National Barrel Horse Association, Pearson has competed in several competitions across the province, building a resume of top finishes and impressive performances along the way with her horse, Tornado. Now 12 years old, Pearson is the youngest rider in the open division of the track and often competes against people decades older than her. “That’s definitely not very common, so it’s pretty cool,” he says. The competition features two main timed events: pole bending and barrel racing. In pole bending, the horse and its rider weave six poles placed in a straight line as fast as possible. Barrel racing is a rodeo event where a horse and its rider attempt to run a trefoil pattern around several barrels in the fastest time. Pearson and Tornado only entered barrel racing last year. “My horse and I were both new to it, and my horse didn’t know how to bend,” he says. “My coach Madison Evans trained him this winter and he trained me and now we’re a team. We’ve already had so much success early on.” That success was on full display in the open division at a Sudbury show last weekend after Pearson finished second in pole bending in a field of competitors between the ages of 19 and 70. Pearson’s dad Michael says Rylin has received incredibly positive feedback at these events – even from complete strangers. “We recently met someone in Sudbury who was giving Rylin some tips and pointers,” says Michael Pearson. “She was saying that everyone thinks she’s 15 or 16 because of her maturity level. He said it’s not common for a 12-year-old to have this kind of success.” When watching shows, Rylin’s dad takes videos of his daughter’s runs so he can analyze her performance afterward. It’s safe to say it’s paying off. “He’ll watch it and find out what he did wrong,” he says. “She hit one on the pole run, realized what her mistake was, got back there and then finished second out of all the adults with a personal best time.” The enthusiastic feedback he receives during the races has given the young rider a huge confidence boost, which he says makes all the hard work worth it. “Not only are the adults I race with so welcoming, but it’s the girls in my youth division who have been so kind and welcoming and cheering me on even though I’m their competition,” she says. “Everyone at NBHA has been so supportive.” Pearson has one more practice schedule before attending the NBHA Finals at the end of the month in Ancaster, ON. She will compete for points in two categories: one against adults and one with female competitors aged 12 and under. The top ten from all Ontario regions will advance to Worlds in Perry, Georgia. While the circuit atmosphere can be tense, Pearson says her attitude and preparation for each show remains consistent. “I talk to my horse and make sure he’s feeling good and ready to run,” he says. “Then I check myself and make a plan before I start my run. I visualize it and imagine how I want it to go. When I do that and put my mind to it, I can do it.” Pearson has raced Tornado exclusively throughout her track career, a young horse hailing from Sunset Family Ranch in Echo Bay. He says their compatibility is a driving factor behind their early achievements. “Your animal is part of your team,” he says. “We have a good bond and are really in tune with each other.” Pearson aspires to take her passion for horse riding to a professional level and if her first three years in the business have proven anything – nothing is going to stand in her way. “I want to turn pro one day and I want to make it to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and the National Finals Rodeo – the best of the best. I want to make a career out of it. It’s a dream.”
