Jumping High: Meet Equestrian Lexi Pereira

Lexi Pereira, who goes by Quincy at the barn, is in the eighth grade at Philosophy Academy and has been riding since she could walk. Her grandparents own and train at Free Flight Farm, a boutique-style hunter/jumper show barn in Tulsa. She started competing in the pony division at age 8 and is currently showing in the jumpers and junior hunter divisions. With years in the saddle already behind her, Lexi spends much of her free time training, caring for horses and preparing for competitions. We asked Lexi about life at the barn, her favorite horse and what it takes to compete.

TK: How old were you when you started riding?

Lexi: Very young, ever since I can remember.

TK: What does a typical practice look like?

Lexi: Typically lessons last about 30 minutes once the horse is tacked, so about an hour per horse each day.  Depending on the day we will exercise the horse on the flat (also known as “hacking”) or do lessons on the flat or over fences, working different muscles depending on the day.

TK: What’s the highest jump you’ve cleared?

Lexi: The highest jump I have ever jumped and cleared is 4 feet.

Lexi Pereira with her horse, King of Kannon.

TK: What’s your horse’s name and personality?

Lexi: King (King of Kannon). He is 19 and is a jumper. King is very sweet and caring. He is the greatest teacher because he is super brave and fearless! I am also riding Auggie (August Rush) in the junior hunters this year. We are qualified for and plan to attend Junior Hunter Finals in Kentucky this summer.

TK: How would you describe your bond with your horse?

Lexi: My horse and I complement each other well. We are usually on the same page and communicate well with each other. It’s very important to have mutual trust.

TK: How do you handle nerves before entering the arena?

Lexi: I always remind myself that I am as prepared as I can be in that moment and that I’m doing what I love and what I’ve dreamed about doing.

TK: Do you dream of competing in college or beyond?

Lexi: It would be an amazing opportunity to compete in college, and even after college I would love to go pro or continue competing as an amateur.

TK: Do you prefer early mornings or late practices?

Lexi: I prefer early morning practices over late nights. In the summers we typically start around 6 a.m. to avoid the heat.

TK: What do people not realize about being an equestrian?

Lexi: Something people don’t know about being an equestrian is that a horse doesn’t do all the work.  The horse and the rider have to work together to be successful. There is also a great responsibility with taking care of the horse and making sure their health is a priority.

TK: What’s your favorite place to ride in Tulsa?

Lexi: Free Flight Farm because of the amazing facility and staff. The clients at the barn are of all ages and are a very supportive team. We all help each other and learn from each other every day. Joey is an amazing coach and is always patient and very positive.

Horse Show Terms to Know

Hunter

Hunter classes judge how smoothly and gracefully a horse jumps a course of fences. Judges look for style, rhythm and consistency.

Jumper

In jumper classes, the goal is to complete the course as quickly as possible without knocking down rails or making mistakes.

Hacking

Riding a horse on the flat (without jumps) to build strength, balance and communication between horse and rider.

Pony Division

Competition classes specifically for smaller horses called ponies, often ridden by younger riders.