Mila Jumping For Joy With Leo – When Horse And Human Have A Special Relationship

WORDS: Ocean Road Magazine PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Most kids can’t wait for the hot summer months to frolic in the sun surf and sand, but Mila Jakic is a bit more chilled than most 12-year-olds.

She is chomping at the bit for the arrival of autumn. It’s not because she doesn’t love summer, but so she can kick-off this year’s show jumping competition season with her best mate Leo.

Leo is a stockhorse with flaxen chestnut colouring (the mane and tail is lighter in colour than the body) and boy, can he jump.

Mila has a special relationship with Leo. In fact, she trusts him with her life. “Horses are beautiful creatures, and we are lucky to have them,” she says. “My passion for show jumping runs deep, it’s where I am most happy.”

Mila’s mum Melissa approves of the friendship and says the dynamic duo make a great team. The family travelled to Canberra to buy the gelding and Mila is pretty chuffed with the investment. “It’s every little girl’s dream to have a pony and now she’s show jumping and she loves it,” says Melissa. “Mila is so cruisy and just happy to be on a horse. She and Leo have a special friendship. She will ride daily, and on many different horses, once competition gets underway.”

Coached by some of the best coaches in Queensland, Mila and Leo will be out and about alongside one of her besties and coach, Phoebe Shannon, from PS Performance Horses. “She trains so hard and is very committed, and that includes every afternoon and on weekends,” says Melissa.

Last year Mila won a junior six-bar competition, a gradient course with six jumps clearing 1.15 metres, while jumping 1.3 metres at home. “We go away on weekends during the competition season to compete, and I’ll drive the equine truck, it’s a family affair,” says Melissa.

Horsepower runs in the family, but it’s a different kind for older brother Ryder, who is wrangling a 992 Porsche GT3 Cup Car in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship.

Visit Instagram- @mila_showjumping