By Liz Shepard
Special to the Leader
After months of saddle sores, strained muscles, and early mornings, Oxford High School’s own Equestrian Team has completed their season.
Starting Thursday, October 14 and ending Sunday, October 16, OHS’s Equestrian Team competed at the 32nd annual Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association’s State Championship hosted at the Midland County Fairgrounds.
For the 2nd year in a row, and the 4th time in 6 years, Oxford has earned the Reserve State Championship. The team of 12 high school students competed in saddle seat, hunt seat, western, and timed events.
‘The team showed great growth and determination,? said Coach Dee Shepard. ‘We have to thank our great assistant coaches, as well as former riders who have graduated, for their support at the practices and competitions, as well as the parents who are an integral part of the team.?
The team competed against 9 other regional champions, being defeated by only one team, Chippewa Hills High School. Captain Andrew Clark led the team with 54 points earned in over fences, hunt seat equitation, as well as saddle seat classes.
Sophomores Kellie Roth, Christina Henry, and Erica Henry, as well as freshman Cidney Fritche also helped their team by dominating the competition in fitting and showing classes. ‘We showed genuine team spirit and motivated each other to give it our all,? said sophomore Erica Henry, ‘We never stopped trying, even when the days got a bit rushed.?
Senior Kiley Fallon added to the team’s high scores by competing in and winning the speed and action event; Fallon was supported in the speed events by fellow senior Jessica Kovl, freshman Kaitlin Trezil, sophomore Bridget Standifer, and senior and Captain Melissa Heacock.
Freshman Kristin Gaines also added to the score board by earning two 2nd places in western riding and winning the trail class. Junior McKenzie Willis, who suffered from appendicitis only a few weeks before the State Championship, was not allowed to ride under doctor’s orders, but came to help support and help her teammates by preparing horses for classes as well as waking up early to help feed and water the 12 Oxford horses. ‘This year the team worked together. It wasn’t just one person or the other doing more work, we stood by each other’s side helping one another out. Being called a team to me is better then being called state champs? said Willis.
Seniors Clark, Fallon, Heacock, and Kovl have been with the team for the past four years; they have seen three Reserve State Championships, four district championships, as well as a regional championship. ‘At the beginning of the season our opponents thought we would be no competition because we lost valuable riders last year; we proved them and our school wrong by sweeping districts, regional meets, and going on to the State Championship,? said the seniors in an e-mail response.
Although they are saddened that the elusive State Championship always stayed just out of reach, they have memories as well as friends from the team to stay with them into their future endeavors.
As an assistant coach I could not have been more proud of the seniors for the example they have set for the underclassmen. They buckled down and united their team as the caliber of competition climbed from districts to regionals to the State Meet. The dedication, commitment, and emotions these riders invest into their team is inspiring.
The underclassmen have already started planning for next year; fund raisers, practices, and strategies for the state meet next year have already been started. ‘The plans are already being put into action, only hours after the season has ended this year, to take the final steps and win the State Championship next year,? said Shepard.