There was no lack of variety being feted at the recent North East Trillium Hunter Jumper Association (NETHJA) end of year banquet recently in Sudbury, both in terms of areas of the region who were celebrating the achievements of their riders, but also in the diversity of ages.

Tracy MacLeod will blow out the candles on her first fifty years this year, and while riding has almost always been part of her life - "I think I could ride before I could walk" - the notion of actually competing is a relatively new phenomenom for the local woman.

"It's really nice for me to have something to work towards," said MacLeod, who was recognized with the Best Adult Trophy in addition to capturing a bronze medal in the Open .75m jumper grouping.

"Riding is the only thing that takes my mind off work," she added. "When I ride, I have to be 100% committed to my horse. That connection between horse and rider is just so amazing."

In fact, there is something of a clear synergy that can meld that tandem at times, with each taking on characteristics of the other. "I ride an incredibly athletic horse who is an overachiever - and I think the two of us are perhaps overachievers together - even if we're not incredibly athletic together," said MacLeod with a laugh.

"I'm a quiet rider. I'm not going to the Olympics, but it's still fun to have a goal to work towards."

North Bay native Ellie Fleischmann is also not travelling the world in pursuit of equestrian success - but she has seen her way out to Rutherglen and on to Knowlton Ridge Equestrian Centre (Powassan) before making her way to the Sudbury region and Foothills Farm, more specifically.

"My dad took me for a trail ride about ten years ago and from there, I just kept riding," said the 18 year old who has competed on the Trillium circuit for six years or so. "I've gotten so much stronger and so much more confident."

"I started on a horse that could teach me and now, I am on a younger horse (Charleston) that I'be brought along," noted the winner of the A Equitation Division.

In a category which relies almost completely upon the rider, Fleischmann excelled.

"In the hunter ring, which is what I do primarily, it's all about how can I make my horse perform the best without the judge being able to see it, just bneing really subtle," she added.

Graduating from the Children's Hunter grouping, Fleischmann is looking forward to joining the Adults next summer. "I want to do as well as I can in that division, a new environment that I have never been in before."

Just 16 years old and in grade 11 at Korah Collegiate, Sault Ste Marie native Hope Cyr has completely immersed herself in the world of horse shows, first introduced to riding through a friend at school less than four years ago.

Last year, she spent the early months of 2022 in Florida, working for Katriina Ruotsalo and the folks at Northern Legacy Horse Farm.

"I groomed a lot this year, more than I ever have in my life - it's something that makes me happy," said Cyr, who took top spot in the Modified Child / Adult 2'9" classification, riding Cool Attraction and placing at provincials.

"You learn how to prep the horse; you know everything about that horse that you need to know in order for it to show well."

Cyr also had the opportunity to teach some beginners at summer camps, offering a perspective that was unlike any she had quite seen before. "It's better when you're on the ground," she said. "You can see what you're telling the rider, so it's easier to understand what your coach is telling you."

"Even just sitting at the ring while Cathy (Inch) was coaching others, I could learn so much more."

Other riders who enjoyed notable seasons included Holly Heikkila, Kadence McCartney, Georgia Hepworth and Krysta Lapointe, among others.