STOUGHTON - Shayda King is a 13-year-old young woman who loves to ride horses.
She lives north of Stoughton on the farm of her parents, Kevin and Tammy King, along with her siblings Shoni and Zane.
Shayda is part of the fifth generation to be raised on this homestead, which has been in the family for 119 years.
It was decided that Shayda would run for the Saskatchewan Riding Clubs Association’s (SRCA) queen, representing the Stoughton New Hope Horse Club.
To qualify for queen at the SRCA, Shayda needed to approach 30-50 sponsors, hold a barbecue, and perform volunteer hours.
Throughout the show, she needed to volunteer cleaning the arena, sitting at the raffle table and in general being available to help.
The SRCA event was held in Saskatoon on Sept. 23-25. Six riders from the Stoughton New Hope Horse Club competed in the event.
King received high point in her division, winning the buckle.
At the end of the show, the grand finale is held, where everyone enters the ring. It is at this time that the queen is announced.
Three young women entered, and Shayda was announced as the queen and received a quality Circle Y saddle.
The Stoughton Club also received the award for the best-decorated stalls.
According to Tammy King, the club was an immense help. Everyone had a wonderful time and members stepped up to the plate when Shayda had to fulfil perspective queen duties.
Shayda always had the love for riding like the wind, Tammy said, even as a baby when in the saddle with her mother.
At the age of two, Shayda began to ride the family pony Crackerjack and it continued from there.
The King family has always been involved in horses. Kevin at one time shoed in reining, Shoni partook in barrel racing in the college rodeos, and Zane rides saddle bronc at the college rodeo.
The horses on the farm are extensively used for cattle and sheep work as well.
Shayda also is a trick rider. She could be seen this past summer during Stoughton Daze, where she demonstrated her skills on her horse Cloud. She has had training from the Graham sisters.
They look forward to next year, as it will be held in October in Moose Jaw. It is there that Shayda will crown the next queen.
