The Oxford High School Equestrian Team is the reserve state champion.
The Wildcats were the first runner ups at the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Championship Oct. 9 ? 12 at the Midland County Fairgrounds.
The Howell High School Equestrian Team won the MIHA Division B state championship.
‘We gave it our best shot as always,? said Dee Shepard, Oxford’s head coach. ‘The team should be very proud of winning the reserve state championship ? I couldn’t be more proud of all of them.?
Oxford lost the state title by just 23 points, earning a total of 302 points over the four days of showing. Clare High School came in third place with 264 points.
Oxford had earned both the District II and Division E championships to qualify for its 14th straight trip to the state finals. Equestrian teams compete based on the number of riders, with the top 10 teams in the state qualifying for each division.
Oxford competed in the B division with eight riders.
This is the seventh time the Wildcats have earned the reserve state championship in 14 years. Oxford brought home state championship in 2012 and 2008, and were reserve state champions in 2013, 2011, 2006, 2005, 2002 and 2001.
Jenney-Ayn Gill, a senior and co-captain, said she’s proud of the team’s efforts and accomplishments.
‘As a captain of the team and a senior, I am going to miss our team,? she said. ‘I will miss everyone’s hard work and dedication that they showed throughout the year.?
Ian Diedrich, co-captain with Gill, said the tight competition kept the championship meet interesting and everyone working hard. He also said he’ll be back, even though he’s graduating this year.
‘I’ve been with this team for a good portion of my life and it is incredibly strange to think that I won’t be competing for them anymore,? said Diedrich, who has two older siblings who also rode on the team.
‘Even though I am leaving, I will however come back to help out as much as possible in the future because this team has been so influential in my life and I consider them to be my best friends and family.?