It is not merely a display of woman dominating beast. Hers is a love; a

mutual respect; a symbiotic relationship of discipline, pride and beauty.

And, as she inhales the sweet smell of horse that mingles with the freshly

laid sawdust, this style and grace radiates.

Together they overcome the obstacles, standing, jogging and loping tall and

proud. The image is impeccable. But, behind the leather-fringed chaps and

wide-brimmed cowgirl hat lies a world of obscure techniques. It is her

mastery of these fundamentals coupled with her love for the animal that

sets her apart and makes Tara Wilson, a member of the equestrian team at

the University of Tennessee, a champion.

“I knew I had done well, but I didn’t think I won,” said Wilson, who has

just returned from the Region 5 Equestrian Championships, where she placed

first in her class. “It was a really good feeling.”

Wilson, a junior from Ohio, has advanced to the zone competition being held

later this month in Georgia. Her event, the advanced Western equitation,

involves the showing of horses through a variety of skills —

all of which she proved to master.

Many think of horseback riding as one of the hobbies of the elite, a

display of wealth and class. But this traditional English riding style

differs from the Western events. Though Western riders wear the traditional

cowboy garb, it does not involve roping cattle or yelling ‘Yee-haw.’ The

intensity and grace of these riders, though, still shines through their

bright-colored blouses and leather chaps.

At the intercollegiate level, Western riding involves an element of luck.

The riders do not bring their own horses but draw a horse randomly right

before the show. Though the riders cannot control the outcome of the draw,

they can control the performance of the horse. This is where the experience

and adaptability of the rider are vital.

“Tara has a lot of poise in the saddle,” said Alexa Perry, president of the

equestrian club. “She is a really consistent rider and is able to adapt to

the horses.”

While displaying poise and pride, Wilson must maintain a straight position

on the horse and parade in front of skeptical judges. Wilson, however, is

able to maintain her focus and keep a clear mind.

“I just think about making the horse perform its best,” she said.

Through cues of clucking and kissing, Wilson’s love for the animal is

evident.

“If you have a love for animals, you can understand them better; you can

know what they’re thinking,” she said.

Anticipating the horse’s reaction helps Wilson adapt to whatever horse she

may draw, but it is her confidence that gives her the edge. Wilson got her

first horse when she was 10 and has been riding and showing ever since.

Working so closely with her own horses and the ones she rides for UT has

given her the confidence and comfort needed to succeed.

According to Wilson, horses can sense tension and fear, and if the rider is

nervous it will show in the horse’s behavior.

“If you love that animal you will be relaxed, you can ask them to do

something, and they will be more responsive,” she said.

It is the combination of this love, skill and talent that has brought

Wilson such joy and success. Armed with her cowgirl hat and chaps, Wilson

will travel to Rome, Ga., where she will continue to display her talent at

the zone championships on April 18. A top-two finish in that event will

enable Wilson to compete at the national championships in New York.

Regardless of the outcome, Wilson’s style and grace will shine as she

translates her love of horses into a skillful display of Western

riding.