Goodrich – Not for the fainthearted, it is a sport that is dangerous, risky, expensive and requires total commitment.
The Goodrich High School Equestrian team proved this year that they have what it takes by placing fourth in Division A, the largest division the team has ever competed in.
‘Placing fourth out of nine schools and against 40 or more riders in each discipline is tough. On top of that, our riders have had to place in the top eight riders to get any points. So this is quite an accomplishment,? said Coach Tere Onica.
The team competes in District Two among 19 other districts in the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemans Association (MIHA), The four disciplines the team compete in are huntseat, western, saddleseat and speed.
Onica said it takes a great deal of ability to ride and control a 1,200-pound horse with the sheer athletic ability they have.
‘Horses are prey animals and that is how they have survived all of these thousands of years. So when they sense danger, they automatically flee. You can’t lie to a horse. They instinctively read body signals, so there is no tensing up or being afraid, these girls really learn outstanding horsemanship skills,? she said.
Excited that the team is growing in numbers, Onica said the team really has something to build on for their future because most of the riders are freshmen.
Onica’s husband Nick shares in the coaching responsibilities with Tere. ‘This sport takes a lot of work, there is nothing easy about owning a horse and it’s definitely a commitment. It is by their own sweat and determination that they have become what they have this year,? he said.
On the team for four years, Katie Cook said she plans on attending Michigan State University to be a veterinarian. ‘This has been the hardest year I have competed in and I really learned a lot this year,? she said.