Lori Simpson Wins NBHA Scholarship by Nancy Brannon Olive Branch, Mississippi High School senior, Lori Simpson is the winner of the 2004 $8,000 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Scholarship. The scholarship is paid in $2,000 a year increments over a four year period and covers the cost of tuition and books. There are a number of requirements that have to be met to qualify for the scholarship. Applicants: -must have made the Youth World Finals at least once, preferably in the year prior to applying for the scholarship; -must have a recommendation from one of the NBHA directors in the state; -must have a recommendation from the school principal or guidance counselor; -may have recommendations from appropriate others; -must send in information on GPA, ACT/SAT scores, achievements (awards/honors/extracurricular activites) and community service. In order to keep receiving the scholarship, winners have to maintain at least a 2.75 average on college work and they have to write a thank you letter each year for receiving the scholarship. Lori qualified for the Youth World Finals in 2000 and it was an especially meaningful event for her. One of her close friends died that summer and, since it is usually the tradition to dedicate the runs to someone, she dedicated her runs to her friend. While the fastest qualifying time at the finals that year was a 14.1, Lori's horse put in the fastest time he had ever run - 15.8. "I was really excited about the results! I placed in the top 20 in the third division and won a silver belt buckle." Lori has two barrel horses that she rides. Her main horse is CACTUS KING, known at the barn as "Dusty." He is a 12-year-old Palomino gelding and the horse that took her to the Youth World. Her newer horse is a six-year-old black Quarter Horse mare, who is also a registered Paint, JET LIGHTNING JOE, known as "Tara" at the barn. Lori has been riding since she was seven years old and she got her first pony to start riding barrels when she was nine. She has been riding barrels almost ten years, but also likes to compete in the Western Pleasure classes. She originally started riding with Frontier Saddle Club and then added riding with Briarwood. She likes the family-oriented atmosphere at Briarwood Saddle Club, where she rides in the Western Pleasure classes. She has had the same Western Pleasure horse since age nine, a chestnut mare THAT'S MY KIND OF GIRL, also known as "Miss Piggy." Lori describes her as, "an A-personality boss mare who eats everything. She was almost four when we bought her and when she was a foal, she had to be bottle fed. But you can tell she loves to eat; she'll even take French fries from you. She's the first really good Western Pleasure horse I had. In fact, the very first time I showed her, we won the Western Pleasure class at a SASCA show." Lori was thrilled with that first win and has been showing her for about 10 years. But as with many horses who repeatedly do the same discipline, "Miss Piggy" has grown a bit tired of the Western Pleasure, so Lori has given her some time off. AIN'T I SEXY. She has been doing well on this horse, too, in the Youth Walk, Trot 17 and under, as well as in the Western Pleasure 17 and under. Her summer schedule was rather hectic, she admits. "I was riding at Briarwood on Fridays and at SASCA on Saturdays. And I made the barrel racing classes when I could in the Mississippi 01 district." Her mother shows miniature horses in the SASCA shows, so between the two of them, they traveled to a lot of horse shows. Lori won the Heather Rothman award for 2002 which is given to the SASCA high point youth rider in Western Pleasure 17 and under. In addition to that, she won the Walk Trot 17 and under award for the year. Lori has also ridden at 4-H shows since she was nine. As the 4-H reporter for one year, she even got a story published in the Mid-South Horse Review! "Next year, as an 18-year-old, I'll be riding in the adult classes in SASCA shows, competing with the trainers and other professionals," Lori said. So finding her way to blue ribbons may be more difficult, she expects. Lori's college plans are to attend the University of Mississippi, beginning in the Fall 2004, where she plans to major in criminology. "Ever since I was 8 years old I wanted to be an FBI agent and work in behavioral sciences," Lori explained. But journalism is her second passion. Lori has also been involved with her school newspaper since eighth grade. "It's my passion and I am such a perfectionist that I want my pages in the paper to be exactly right." "I do the entertainment section for the Quistor Chronicle," named after the high school team the "Conquistadors." "We write and proof all the stories, take the pictures, and do all the design and layout. We do everything. In fact, the paper is now DeSoto County's top paper." So it is no wonder that her minor at college will be journalism. But the next big thing in Lori's life will be the Youth World Finals in Jackson, Mississippi. "I think I will probably qualify for the Youth World next year," Lori hopes, although the scores are not completed yet. "It is usually held the last of July or first of August every year. There is a Youth Division, 12 and under and a Teen Division, 13-18. Each division has two go-rounds. Since there are usually about 500 horses in the Youth Division and about 1,000 horses in the Teen Division, it takes two days to complete the Teen Division and about a week to get in everyone's runs," Lori explained. So another go at the Youth World Championships would give Lori a real thrill and be a perfect addendum to graduation.