By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Sara Shier
As Cameron Trimino walked the course for her first Saturday Night Lights $100,000 Grand Prix in 2023, she felt adrenaline coursing through her body, bringing with it an equal amount of anxiousness and excitement. “My trainer, Sean Leckie, encouraged me to embrace the nerves and reminded me that it’s the ‘special feeling’ before something magical happens in the ring. When it came time to warm up, I felt calm and focused, just taking in the moment,” Cameron said.
With a goal of completing the course successfully, Cameron was overjoyed when she jumped a clear round with a single time fault. “It was a blur when I came out of the ring, but I remember feeling both awestruck and incredibly proud of myself and my horse. I gave my trainer a big hug, and hearing him say he was proud of me meant the world,” she said. “Of course, I wished I had been just one second faster so I could have made the jump-off, but my performance was better than I ever expected to do that night. It taught me to focus on the moment and be proud of the milestone I reached.”
This wasn’t the first time Cameron felt a spark when riding and it most certainly won’t be the last. “That feeling I had before that round is something I’ll never forget and it’s the sensation I now experience before special classes. I’ve learned to use the energy from my nerves and excitement as motivation. I thrive off that energy,” Cameron said.
“Just a Phase”
In 2010, when Cameron was 3 years old, she had her first opportunity to sit on a horse during her family’s yearly summer vacation to a ranch resort in Montana. The instant she got on the horse, Cameron felt something spark inside of her.
Although she had never ridden, Cameron carried around a horse stuffed animal wherever she went. “While watching a small show at the ranch, the woman who owned the ranch approached, after noticing my toy horse, and asked if I’d like to participate and ride a horse in front of the audience. I was overjoyed and immediately accepted her offer. I was placed on a Western horse and led around the ring, navigating barrels as the crowd watched,” Cameron said. “From that moment on, riding was all I could think about.”
After that first time on a horse, Cameron couldn’t stop talking about riding again and counted down the days until she could get back in the saddle. Once her family got home to California, Cameron began asking her parents to start riding lessons. “My parents were unsure of how to proceed, as they had no prior experience with horses or the equestrian world. As the youngest and only girl in a family of seven, I was their first kid to express an interest in riding. Thankfully, a parent from my school recommended a nearby barn,” she said.
Cameron’s equestrian education formally began when she was 4. After a month of riding on a leadline, Cameron was itching to do more. “I felt I wasn’t progressing quickly enough and asked to switch barns,” Cameron said. “At the time, my parents assumed my interest in horses would be a phase, but as we now know, it was far from that.”
Shortly after moving barns, Cameron had her first experience showing at a local county show. Aboard her first pony, Strawberry, Cameron participated in a walk-trot class. That was just the beginning of Cameron’s show days.
Growing up with horses was about more than just competing for Cameron; the barn provided her with a sense of peace and stability. “No matter what challenges I faced in life, being around horses always offered me a sanctuary. Whether it was riding or simply spending time with them, horses were a constant source of happiness,” she said.
Among the lessons horses have taught Cameron are patience, resilience, humility and how to listen. “Horses have profoundly shaped who I am today and shown me the value of hard work and the importance of pushing through challenges, even when the road gets tough. Perhaps most importantly, they’ve taught me how to truly listen—both to them, as I learn to understand their needs and signals, and to my own instincts, which guide me in navigating difficult situations,” she said.
Cameron has learned to listen to her horses in the quiet moments, when she’s grooming, hand walking and simply spending time with them. “Those are some of my favorite times because they strengthen the bond we share. It’s in those quiet moments that trust and connection are built, making jumping feel effortless because we understand each other,” Cameron said.
Jumping for Joy
After a start in the hunters and exploring eventing, Cameron discovered at age 11 that her true calling was the jumper ring. “The speed, the precision and the unique bond you form with your horse as you navigate a course together—it’s an electrifying experience, and I thrive on the adrenaline. Even now, the anticipation of achieving that winning round is what continually drives me,” she said. “The challenge of constantly striving for improvement is something that keeps me coming back to the sport.”
One of Cameron’s favorite aspects of show jumping is that anyone can win on any given day. The difference between first and second can come down to a hundredth of a second. “The level of intensity makes every competition exciting and pushes me to put in more effort and focus during training. I’m also a big dreamer, and from a young age, I’ve held the dream of competing in the Olympics. The drive to reach that goal, and to continue climbing the ranks in show jumping, is what propels me forward every day,” she said.
Over the years, Cameron has had several memorable victories including her first U25 Grand Prix win in 2024 and winning both the individual and team gold at the 2022 Zone 10 Championships with her horse Audi. “Those accomplishments were especially meaningful because they reflected the culmination of the deep partnership we’ve built together,” she said.
If Cameron had to name her heart horse, it would undoubtedly be Audi. “Audi is incredibly special to me because the bond we share is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. His bravery, kind soul and unwavering trust in me leave me in awe every day. If I asked him to jump through fire for me, I truly believe he would,” she said.
Cameron credits her horses Gin and Chuckles with making her the rider she is today. Gin had a reputation for being a difficult horse, thereby leaving him with no rider. At the same time, Cameron was horseless. “We found each other at the perfect moment. Our unlikely pairing turned into an incredible connection that shaped much of my early riding career,” she said.
Like Gin, Chuckles was a challenging ride, as he was a very sensitive horse. “Learning how to listen to him, be patient and understand the importance of not forcing him but instead working with him to make him feel comfortable was a journey that tested my skills and character,” Cameron said. “While it was often exhausting and sometimes discouraging, Chuckles taught me what it meant to be a true horsewoman.”
For the past five years, Cameron’s trainer Sean Leckie has been guiding her through countless ups and downs. Much like the horses did, Sean constantly pushed Cameron out of her comfort zone, helping her grow both as a rider and a person. “Sean has helped keep me going even during the moments when I wanted to give up,” she said.
Sean encouraged Cameron to participate in the 2021 Emerging Athletes Program (EAP). “I ultimately made it to nationals and earned the Horsemanship Award. It was one of the most memorable and impactful experiences of my riding career,” Cameron said.
Having Faith
At the core of everything Cameron does is her Christian faith. “It serves as a constant reminder to stay grounded, approaching both my riding and my life with humility and grace. Faith helps me navigate the inevitable ups and downs of being an equestrian. It keeps me focused on the bigger picture and allows me to remain patient, trusting in God’s plan for my life,” she said.
Cameron leans on Hebrews 13:8 to deal with adversity and give God the glory. “That verse reminds me that Jesus is unchanging, regardless of what happens in my riding or my life. It helps me refocus on gratitude and provides the perspective I need to remain positive, even in the difficult moments,” she said.
In 2023, Cameron started her clothing company, Childlike, with the vision of sharing what having a childlike faith means to others. “I wanted to share the message I felt God had placed in my heart, and believed clothing would be a powerful medium to convey that message. The brand focuses on encouraging people to maintain a childlike faith in their everyday lives,” Cameron said.
Today Cameron runs the business on her own and has found the experience to be very rewarding. “I’ve gained valuable insights into entrepreneurship, time management, discipline and the importance of staying true to my vision. Being an entrepreneur has taught me how to juggle multiple responsibilities and stay organized, which is essential when balancing a business with an intense riding schedule,” she said. “It has also helped me become more adaptable—an attribute that directly translates to my riding, where being prepared for the unexpected is key!”
In addition to embracing her faith, Cameron places a huge emphasis on mental fitness. “I used to struggle with mental weakness and it often left me feeling stuck. It’s tormenting when you let your failures become part of your identity, which is something many people in this sport experience,” she said. “When I found my identity in Christ and took control of my mindset, I felt liberated and it’s my goal to help others experience the same freedom.”
Cameron encourages riders to embrace both the highs and lows and view every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. “Success isn’t defined by the number of victories, but by the number of times you rise after failure. Champions aren’t the ones who never fail, they’re the ones who keep getting up, trying and pushing forward while others quit,” she said.
Keeping the Spark
As she’s gone from leadline to Grand Prix, Cameron has experienced all the emotions that come with pushing yourself to be at the top of a sport. During the highs and lows, Cameron is reminded of her why. “I always go back to that first-love feeling. The spark I had at 3 years old is what carries me through,” she said.
Today Cameron competes in the National Grand Prix and FEI classes up to the three-star level with her trusty mount Audi. She’s also developing her 7-year-old, Ren, who’s currently competing in the 1.30m jumpers. “I’m committed to pursuing a career in show jumping, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Olympics one day. Alongside that, I plan to continue to grow my current business and future ventures, using my journey to inspire others,” she said.
While Cameron no longer carries around her stuffed horse, she knows horses will always be a central part of her life. In a full-circle moment, one day she wants to go back to where her horse dreams began—Montana. “I hope to own a ranch in Montana, where I can build a family, care for my retired horses and raise Western horses to teach my children how to ride,” Cameron said. “I hope to pass my spark on to them.”
Follow Cameron on Instagram @cameron.trimino
Photos by Sara Shier, sarashierphotography.com
