Photo provided (source: Brant Gamma Photos)

Kelly Loria has been riding horses since she was seven years old. She has been training as an equestrian rider with Heidi Riddle since she was ten.

This summer her hard work paid off and she qualified for the team (Area VI California & Hawaii) - Kelly went to Kentucky to compete in the North American Junior Young Rider Championships. In a Cinderella-type story she and her off-the-track thoroughbred, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, won both the Individual Gold and Team Gold medals. The Championship is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the Junior Olympics for riders ages 15-21.