metro >> Horsing Around Cameron Kay takes top honors in worldwide equitation competitions. Cameron Kay on Reed at the 2014 presentation of top Equitation Riders at the American Royal Horse Show in Kansas Cameron Kay hugs Music after completing the 2015 Triple City, with trainers Todd Miles, Sarah Lawson and Lillian Shively, her parents Laura and Scott Kay and brother Jeremy. Crown in Oklahoma City. Judy Greenwald I Special to the Jewish News C ameron Kay is a young lady who's riding high — literally. The confi- dent, personable 18-year-old West Bloomfield resident is an expert in equitation (the art and practice of horsemanship and horse riding), and has been awarded abun- dant honors for her efforts in competition for most of her life. Most recently, Kay, as part of the 11-mem- ber U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Travel Team, competed in mid-September in the 2015 South Africa Saddle Seat Invitational. Her entire family (minus one cousin) trav- eled with her for the 21/2-week excursion, which included two days of competition. During this contest, her riding and showing skills garnered her both individual and team gold medals. Kay's love of all things equine began at an early age and comes through a family con- nection. "My mom rode horses before I was born:' Kay said, "and she did participate in some competitions with her horse, Rainman. At 4 months old, she sat me on him and let me `ride', and that's when it all started:' Grandfather Alan Barry of Commerce Township affirmed the family's affinity with these beautiful animals. "We've always loved horses:' he said. "We donated Cameron's mother's very first horse, Tara, to work with physically handicapped kids. The family travels when they can to Cameron's competitions, and we feel excite- 26 November 12 .2015 JI% ment and pride from her award-winning performances:' Kay, who became a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel and graduated from Walled Lake Northern High School, began riding lessons at age 4 at Hidden Dreams Farm in Wixom. She trained there until age 7, and then moved to Crystal Farms in Marshall, where she works with trainer Mary Carlton on Morgans, one of two breeds on which she performs. The Morgan gelding she's been riding and showing since 2010 is nicknamed Music. His formal name is CNS Stylish Debut GCH and, she noted with a smile, his favorite treats are orange juice and Clif bars. Kay boasts an impressive list of awards and honors from her years of competi- tion, which take her all over the United States. In 2013, on Music, she won Reserve Champion at the UPHA (United Professional Horsemen's Association) Morgan Senior Challenge Cup Finals; Champion, AMHA (American Morgan Horse Association) Saddle Seat Gold Medal Finals; and World Champion, Morgan Saddle Seat Equitation. "That's the Triple Crown in Morgan com- petition:' Kay explained. "After this season, I've decided to retire Music, who's 16. He'll go back to the farm and become a lesson horse — one that riders use just for training:' MOVE TO SADDLEBREDS Following her achievements with Morgans, she, her mother, Laura, and trainer Carlton wondered what was next. "We thought, why not work with American Saddlebreds, who also do saddle seat:' Kay said. "I found a training facility in southern Indiana, Delovely Farm, which specializes in saddle seat equitation. They found Reed, a gelding whose formal name is CH CH-EQ Reedann's Heir to Glory, and I've been working since 2014 with trainers Lillian Shively, Sarah Lawson and Todd Miles. "I had no expectations from Reed, who likes to eat carrots and peppermints," she said. "I just wanted to have fun. He had no experience doing pattern work, which is part of equitation. He had only shown as a performance horse, doing gaits such as walk, trot and canter. But that year, we won several competitions and national championships in only our first year together. "It was a difficult being away from school, but I learned and experienced so much in the process:' This year is Kay's last year as a junior exhibitor and last year doing saddle seat equitation. So far, she has won another World Championship title on her beloved Morgan, Music, as well as the UPHA Morgan Senior Challenge Cup Finals. This completes her triple crown goal for the Morgan breed. She has also recently won the prestigious Good Hands Final National Championship on her Saddlebred, Reed, as well as a Reserve World Championship. According to Barry, this month, Kay will participate in a final contest, and hopes to win the Triple Crown in the Saddlebred arena. No one yet, he noted, has won these coveted titles in both the Morgan and Saddlebred classes. Kay noted that traveling to the many shows in which she competes can be exhausting; but she affirmed one of the best things about participating in the competi- tions is the friendships she's made. "There's also the fun," she said, "and I love the rush of adrenaline when you first ride your horse through the gate. You can feel the horse light up as soon as you enter the ring:' Outside the ring, she has also worked in the barn taking care of horses, cleaning tack and stalls, setting up shows and mentoring and instructing others. She proudly showed off her countless colorful ribbons representing her years of competition, displayed among plaques, horse accoutrements and artwork, all adorning the walls of her room. And what's next for this accomplished young lady? After finishing up this year's equestrian events, Kay is off in January to the University of Arizona, where she plans to study business and marketing. "Horses have been my life, and I'll always be around them:' she said. "But now I'm ready to see what else is out there in the world — and to figure out my future:' *