By Liz Shepard
Special to the Leader
For the sixth straight year Oxford High School’s Equestrian Team has captured a district championship; competing at Armada Fairgrounds against teams from Romeo, Brandon, Clarkston, and Rochester Adams.
Oxford’s team first faced their competition Saturday, September 17, defeating the field with 250 points, 129 points ahead of Romeo, their closest opponent. Senior and co-captain of the equestrian team, Andrew Clark, led Oxford in points with 38 points while competing in saddle seat and hunt seat classes.
The competition continued Sunday September 18 for the team at 9 am. Sophomore Christina Henry led Oxford with 38 of the 221 points the team earned, defeating the opposing teams for the second day in a row.
Oxford continued to show their hunger for another championship by beginning their final district level meet Sunday September 25 at 8 am, the night after the homecoming dance.
Oxford’s success did not sway when they were led to another victory by Clark with 43 points at their third and final district meet. ‘For the first time in ten years every single rider put points on the board at our district meets,? said Coach Dee Shepard. ‘The riders have incorporated their talents, developing themselves into a well rounded team. Through their strength of team unity and dedication to practice, they have become a force to be reckoned with.? Oxford’s equestrian team ended their district competitions 220 points ahead of Romeo who came in second.
For the first time in the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association teams must not only earn a district championship, but must follow that success with a win or second place at a regional meet to secure a spot at the State Championship.
The nineteen districts are broken into 5 regions and two judges are hired for the competition.
Oxford showed up ready October 2nd at Goodells County Park for their regional meet. They faced off against teams from Croswell-Lexington and Port Huron Northern. With a higher caliber of competition, Oxford had to work for every point they earned. At the end of the day Oxford earned their spot at the State Championship with 690 points. Sophomore rider, Kellie Roth, led the team in points with 101, contributing to the 136 point lead they had over Croswell-Lexington and Port Huron Northern.
The team will not rest on their laurels with the State Championship looming ahead.
The meet will be held at Midland Fairgrounds on October 13-16. In the past five years Oxford has qualified and had success at the State meet, missing the championship by only a few points three out of the five times they competed at the state level, including last year.
‘I hope this is our year,? said Shepard after coaching her team to three reserve championships in the five years she has been part of the team.