By Liz Shepard
Wind, rain and excessive heat have not held the Oxford High School Equestrian Team from preparing for their 2006-2007 show season.
This Saturday and Sunday, the team of 15 will be coming together to compete in their first two district meet at Armada Fairgrounds starting at 8 a.m. The third district meet will also be at Armada Sept. 24.
Practices started in May and the team continued meeting at Win-A-Gin Farm and Field Stone Farm twice a week. Every Monday the team practiced equitation and showmanship and Thursdays were dedicated to speed events.
‘The road will be long and the work will be hard,? said Mat Shepard, who has assisted with huntseat and over fences at the practices. ‘With a lot of work and perseverance they will be able to overcome their lack of experience.?
Last year the team earned the District II division A Championship, Region A Championship and State Reserve Championship. Four of last year’s riders graduated and Oxford welcomed seven rookies this year.
‘We have a very young team and some very big boots to fill,? said Coach Dee Shepard. ‘We have been working hard all summer to do just that. I just ask that everyone tries their very best and gives 110 percent.?
Co-captain and OHS junior, Kellie Roth, said she is optimistic about the upcoming season.
‘We’ve been practicing pretty hard, especially our speed team,? Roth said. ‘We’re not as strong as a team as we have been in the past but we’re still pretty tight, and if we can make it past districts I think we’ll do well.?
With classes covering huntseat, saddleseat, western and timed events, many of the riders will be riding disciplines they have never before competed in. Coach Shepard said that the team has showed ‘spunk? in their ability to try new things.
‘Cohering as a team and their own discipline will be their strongest opponents,? said Matt Shepard who was the captain of the 1998 OHS Equestrian Team.
Coach Shepard said the team’s biggest challenge will be remaining composed under pressure. Division A district competition will include Brandon, Clarkston, Romeo and Oxford.
The regional championship will be held at the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 and the top two point earners at the regional level will continue to the State Championship at the Midland County Fairgrounds Oct. 12 ? 15.
Oxford has won districts for the past six straight years and has earned the Reserve State Championship four out of the six years.