Sisters Frankie and Mikala Chesler competed together at the Canadian Country Classic at the Halton Place Show Grounds in Halton Hills, Ontario

The competition site is over 80 acres and presented a range of classes and events from a grand prix to the EquiChallenge raising donations for Guelph Equine University.

Fourteen year-old Mikala was the competing rider with older sister Frankie acting as her trainer for the event.

Mikala returned to equine sports after a seven year absence.

The last time she competed in the show ring she was showing small ponies, but now returned to the higher level of competition.

She recently gave up a career in figure skating to concentrate on riding, and this competition she was showing the junior/amateur one meter division.

As a figure skater she was highly accomplished but decided to put her abilities and concentration into the show ring.

Her 22 year-old mount named French Kiss was formerly ridden by Frankie in ealier competitions.

French Kiss has also been absent from the show ring spending several years as a brood mare before returning as a mount on the show circuit.

During the Country Classic competition Mikala and French Kiss finished third in a field of 45 on the first day of the event held on the Friday opener.

During competition on the second day of the event, they turned around a fast time on Saturday and managed to end the day with a win over the same field they faced the previous day.

Sunday featured the Classic but an unfortunate rail at the first fence but speedy round made them the fastest four faulter winding up in tenth place and champion of their division.

Not bad for her first time back, especially after being aware from this type of competition for such a long period of time.

“I was just doing what I learned riding ponies. To go forward, sit up, keep my shoulders back and squeeze my leg,” Mikala said of her return to riding and her good performance at this event.

“I guess it is a little like riding a bike, it just seems to come back to you. The best is to be riding such a special horse who is very brave, careful and fast. My sister trained her and I love having her as mine.”

Mikala added that while she is not skating any more, she is continuing her cardio and strength training.

She works out at Acts Health and Fitness Centre with her trainer Sharlene Kottelenberg.

Mikala plans to finish the season with the Autumn Classic and the Canadian Show jumping Tournament to be held at the Caledon Equestrian Centre, the future home of the 2015 Pan American Games.