By Kenneth Mister
Daily Times Leader

Shay Atkins stands with her 12-year-old horse Awesome Okie.  Atkins received best overall in a horse show competition in Jackson on Sept 11.  

By Kenneth Mister
Daily Times Leader

It is the first thing 14-year-old Shay Atkins does after a long day at Oak Hill Academy.  No, you will not find her staring aimlessly into the television or gossiping about the latest trend.  With a deep passion for the outdoors, you can find Atkins outside her home on the outskirt of West Point with one of her seven horses.  Of the seven, she competes with five horses in competitions throughout the U.S.  

In the Sept. 10-11 Mississippi State Horse Association Championship Show in Jackson, Atkins was awarded best overall high point in the 13-17 age group.  Among approximately 55 contestants, she was also awarded first place in the quadrangles and barrel racing.  She placed second in pole pending.  

Atkins, who has been competing in horse shows since age 3, said she enjoys the time spent in competitions.

"It makes you real competitive," she said.  "And it's fun."

Atkins' sweet yet competitive nature was brought out the same weekend as the show in Jackson.

"The same weekend of the show in Jackson, she competed in two other shows in different cities," Shay's mother Kinta Atkins said.  

For three consecutive years, Atkins has qualified to compete in a world competition show in Colorado.  Although the Atkins family has yet to take the long trip out west, Shay hopes to compete in the Colorado competition soon.

"It's a big competition," Kinta said.  "But at the same time there's a world competition in Jackson - the National Barrel Horse Association Youth World competition. We've chosen to go there.  Hopefully, this coming summer we will make the trip to Colorado."

Shay's talents are not only exhibited in horse shows but also in rodeos.  Her next rodeo competition will be Oct. 3 in Lauderdale.  The rodeo will consists of the following activities:  trail course, pole bending, barrel racing, team roping, break-away roping, and goat tying.  

Being involved with horses not only gives her an extracurricular activity outside of the classroom, but it also teaches her a valuable lesson, Shay said.  

"You have to take care of them (horses)," she said.  "You have to feed them twice and day and make sure they have water.  It's a lot of work taking care of them.  It takes a lot of responsibility."

The Atkins' family immense farm not only consists of horses.  Shay also tends to sheep, a dog (Holly), and 10 cats.  However, she said the most of her time and energy is devoted to her first love.

"I like horses the best," Shay said.  

The younger Atkins also had a little advice for up-and-comers.  

"You have to practice everyday to get better at it," she said.  "And ride your horses to keep them in shape."

Atkins said her next competition will be this weekend in Winona.