No Horsing Around
Salter, fellow rider to vie for world titles
By Mary Kate Holland Intern

Kris Lovett and her horse Natural Ironess and Tara Salter and Cruzin' for Chocolate will compete in the AQYHA World Championship Aug. 1-9 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

What do Tara Salter, 18 and Kris Lovett, 19 have in common? They both qualified for the Ford American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQYHA) World Championship. The two girls will compete with their dark chestnut brown horses, Cruzin' for Chocolate and Natural Ironess for world titles come this Aug. 1-9. This marks Tara's second trip to the championships.

In order to be eligible for AQHYA world championship, held in Oklahoma City, Okla., the girls had to earn points at several different shows throughout the year until they accumulated a set number of points to qualify for world. "We get one point for every five horses we beat," Tara says explaining how the system works. According to the girls, earning 30 to 40 points is usually standard for qualification. And to earn these points the girls work year round to ensure they're experts at their passion.

Tara and Kris have been riding horses most of their lives. It was all for fun, they say, until they started showing. Then it became serious. "This is the priority," Tara says, while Kris nods in agreement. Most of their time is spent preparing for shows at Crest Ridge Ranch, with trainer Terri Layer. "We don't get to hang with friends as much," said Tara. But the girls say that all the work is worth it in the end. "When the hard work pays off, it makes it all worth while," they both explain.

Besides the hard work, the girls deal with an array of factors that weigh on their success.

A good relationship with their horses is a crucial factor in presenting. The girls say that their horses "got along from the getgo. The more you ride the more he responds to you," said Kris.

With the proper training and a good horse, the girls say the only thing left they need to win is support from their families, which the girls say they definitely have. "They pay for everything," Kris says jokingly. After a brief pause of giggles, Tara explains, "They're always there and willing to take us. They're a huge part of what we do."

With the upcoming competition, the girls are putting the finishing touches on their skills. "I feel pretty ready," says Tara. According to the girls, Georgia has some of the top competitors in the world, but that hasn't slowed them down. Whether they place or not, the girls say they'll continue to show horses for as long as they can. "I think I'll always do this," Kris says.

Kris is the daughter of Johnny and Karen Lovett of Waynesboro. Tara is the daughter of Phil and Shirley Salter of Waynesboro and the granddaughter of Regis Moore of Millen.

COMPETITION CLASSES
Tara
• Showmanship
• Youth Performance Geldings
 

Kris
• Huntseat Equitation
• Youth Performance Mares

WHEN TO WATCH
AQHA's weekly television show
on RFD-TV will present its youth
riders on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. and
11p.m.