A 12-year-old North Bay girl is turning heads on the North American horse circuit.

Emily Yates is ranked seventh in North America and has her sights set on the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio next week.

The congress is the world’s largest single-breed horse show and hosts the world’s largest national youth team tournament.

The last time Emily attended she placed seventh in the English hunter under saddle division.

Emily has qualified for two events with two horses – English hunter under saddle and western pleasure.

“It’s the last show of the season. And, who knows, if I continue to do well, I may just earn myself a spot to compete in the world cup and secure a scholarship some day,” she says.

A great deal of commitment and hard work has lead to Emily’s success.

The Grade 7 West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School student spends a lot of time on the road.

She travels back and forth to Orillia on a weekly basis to train with her coaches Andrew Dewar and Pat Chamberland. She receives additional training from her local coach, Megan Sheppard, who assists her at home.

The local equestrian was named the top rookie among youth in Ontario, top point earner in Canada and placed seventh in the rookie youth division of the American Quarter Horse Association.

She recently returned home from Syracuse, NY, where she won the high point youth Level 1 hunter under saddle, as well as first and top-five placings in all of her classes.

Emily says her strategy before competition is simple – practise.

“I try to calm my nerves by focusing on the skills we’ve practiced. It’s all about practise, plus I really like just being around the horses and riding.”