Oxford High School has an equestrian team?!?!?
Why yes, yes it does – and coach Dee Shephard couldn’t be prouder of this year’s group which just recently claimed the District 2. Division A championship title.
“We’ve been the reserve champion the last two years,” said Shephard, “and we’ve been to state four years in a row now.”
The OHS equestrian team has been around for about 25 years. Coach Shephard has been leading the Wildcat riders for the past three years.
“We have 12 riders this year and two non-riders,” she said. “Old alumni will also come and give a hand.”
The Oxford team, which includes freshman through senior members, competes in all styles of horseback riding from Western to English to Gincana. The riders practice twice a week at Win-A-Gin Horse Farm, which donates the space, for two to three hours, and individually four to five times during the week.
“A lot of these kids do everything at the competition,” said Shephard. “We have a very versatile team.”
This season, the Wildcats walked away with the win at all three District 2, Division A competitions in September. At the first meet, Oxford took first place with 207 points, beating the Cats biggest competitor Lapeer West by eight.
“Lapeer West was our major contender this year,” said Shephard. “They won everything last year.”
The Wildcats came out on top again at the second and third meets with 224 and 217 points respectively.
“They’re getting ready for state which is Oct. 23-26,” said Shephard. “We want to win it of course. All you can ask them is to do their best and put in their top effort.”
In addition to competing, the equestrian team works hard to bring community service into their yearly activities. Every year the Wildcat riders hold can drives, sell bagels during the free hour on Wednesday’s in the high school, and sell concessions during the horse shows at Win-A-Gin. All of the proceeds from the community fund-raisers are donated to local charities.
“We’ve given to Oxford-Orion FISH, the Red Cross and the Horse Haven Rescue over the years,” said Shephard. “The community on a whole has been very supportive and we try to give back.”
So what’s the best part about Oxford High School’s equestrian team? For Shephard, it’s the people.
“The teamwork, camaraderie and dedication,” she concluded. “The kids make this a very pleasant job to do.”