Lara is part of the Laramie clan, a family of Pokémon ranchers that helps run a Pokémon reserve near the Kanto regions Safari Zone. Brock noted that he had heard of the Laramie clan as amongst Breeders their Pokémon are reputed for being stronger than others.
Lara Laramie met
Ash Ketchum and his friends when she stopped them from attempting to capture Pokémon on the reserve and explained to them that the reserve is an area were Pokémon are raise freely and aren't to be captured. At that time
Lara Laramie's Ponyta would help her get around the reserve and the two of them had been training for an upcoming Pokémon race.
Lara Laramie is a very popular girl in her village and was the front runner to win the Pokémon race. She explained that if a contestant and their Pokémon won the race, the Laramie clan would recognize them as a honorary Pokémon and a honorary Trainer.
Lara Laramie invited
Ash Ketchum,
Misty and
Brock to participate in the race which they did but
Ash Ketchum ended up taking
Lara Laramie's place after her arm was injured by Team Rocket and
Dario.
Lara Laramie asked
Ash Ketchum to race with her Ponyta because if he won with it, it would be the highest honor for her as a Trainer as it would show that her Pokémon could do well in the race with a different Trainer and that her training skills were sound.
Lara Laramie recognized how hard
Ash Ketchum worked to calm Ponyta down for her after it was spooked and
Ash Ketchum was able to gain
Lara Laramie's Ponyta's trust enough to be able to ride it without getting burned.
Lara Laramie cheered in the grandstands during the race as her arm was in a sling. When
Ash Ketchum ended up winning the race she was very grateful and told him that he was the kind of Trainer she had anticipated and that she believed that he'd become a Pokémon Master.