Boy, did I have my work cut out for me during my interview with KVHA exhibitor, Tara Deweese.  This young lady has quite a history with horses and I was honored to have sit down with her and talk about how full and happy her life has been with her horses (and her Great Grandfather). I asked 16 year old, Tara Deweese to spill the beans and here’s what she had to say about her life with horses.
 

When I asked Tara how she first got involved with riding she told me a wonderful story about how her Great Grandpa would take her to his barn as a baby.  As she grew bigger she would ride ponies and her love for horses grew from there.  “I had always been around horses & ponies, but my first horse was a non-registered Quarter Horse named Danny.  He was old but I loved riding him western and I even jumped him.  We took him to local fairs where I showed him hunt seat and western.  After Danny died my family could tell how hurt and disappointed I was to have lost my horse so they bought me a new horse, Bandit a registered Quarter Horse.  Even at the age of 14, Bandit was out of control!  Before I got him, he was trained to for competition (barrels and poles).  I retrained him for hunt seat and taught him to jump…and it wasn’t easy!”  Tara also continues to teach herself too by riding as many horses as she can.  Her experiences range from Quarter Horses to the American Saddlebred. “I’ve ridden Saddlebreds, but have never showed one.” 

“I also used to show Redeeming Sting, aka, Sting.  In addition to showing him under saddle, I wanted to jump him but he was just too big to jump!  When I first got Sting he was very mischievous.  He had also received several days of professional training for Western Pleasure.  My great grandpa got him for me and the very next day at a KVHA show I showed him Hunt Seat and won the class! 

Whether over cross rails or fences, it’s always fascinated me to see anyone brave enough to jump a 500-800 pound animal that has a mind of its own.  So when I found this hunter/jumper, Miss Deweese I had to ask how she got in to jumping.  “When I was around nine or ten years I jumped a fallen tree limb using two cinder blocks and I jumped in an old western saddle.  It became evident to my parents that I needed a hunt seat saddle; and lessons wouldn’t hurt!   I began taking lessons from Pam Coyner and then I met Sarah Haver.  Sarah was here for only a short time but getting to spend time with her was definitely a highlight and she definitely helped me.  Sarah trained with the World Olympic Equestrian coaches and she gave lessons in New York too.”  Tara goes on to say, “Jumping is definitely my favorite discipline.  Jumping pumps me full of adrenaline and that one moment when I’m totally suspended in the air is a crazy feeling!  It’s also the hardest because I have to keep myself in check and at the same time I have to keep this large animal in control too.”

It’s obvious that Tara prefers the Quarter Horse, “Each Quarter Horse is different.  They have quiet temperaments and go-get’em temperaments.  The Quarter Horse breed alone is a versatile breed.”

“A couple of moments I am most proud of took place at KVHA.  I won the Holly Weis perpetual trophy at the KVHA Awards Banquet in 2002.  Since they didn’t offer jumping in 2003 I still have the trophy.  The money I won from jumping Bandit was more than I paid for him!  So he basically paid for himself. KVHA is offering jumping again this year and there were two jumps that Bandit refused but most recently I pushed him to go and kept talking to him telling him to trust me and he cleared the jumps!  He trusted me and we did it.”

As we talked I couldn’t help but to think how fortunate this young lady is.  She definitely has her health and to prove it she participates in Karate, indoor soccer and tumbling plus she runs & works out.  “I figured since I make my horses keep in shape, I should work out too.”  And she’s been involved with 4-H for seven years.  Tara has been around horses since she was just a baby and now she’s about to get her driver’s license!  That would make her a veteran equestrian to some so I asked her what advise she has to offer upcoming equestrians.  “No matter how bad your ride might have been or how bad your horse is behaving, keep with it and keep calm because there will be many good rides, ribbons and rewards ahead.”

I asked Tara if there was anyone she would like to thank while she had the KVHA Spotlight and without hesitation Tara tells me that she wanted to recognize her Great Grandfather.  “My Great Grandfather, Wade Kelly has supported me every step of the way.  When I was little he would saddle up my horses for me and now, we use his truck & trailer to get to the KVHA shows and fairs.  I wouldn’t be showing if it weren’t for him.  I’d also like to thank my mom & dad.  They pay for my classes!”

As for this 2004 KVHA show season, we can look for Tara riding Zips Cajun Lady.  Lady is Tara’s three year old quarter horse that she got when Lady was only one.  Tara broke Lady to ride herself and she has another baby coming up soon that she hopes will make a jumper.  One word: Incredible.