Slowly getting louder, the riders of the 2019 Oxford Equestrian Team sang out “20 years” four times Sunday night in a barn aisleway.

It was the end of a more than 12 hour day of preparation and competition at the Armada Fairgrounds. The last day of three days of competing in the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association’s District 2 Division B classes.

And the day the Oxford riders continued their team’s legacy of becoming district champions for the 20th straight year.

“District 2…encompasses Lapeer, Oakland and Macomb counties,” said Karen Logan, the district chairwoman. “It is a very competitive district and usually provides at least one team to represent at the state level. In other words, it’s a battle of riding skills, strategy and commitment to success for these equestrian teams to emerge from District 2 as champions.

“Now take that level of commitment yearly for the last 20 years, and you have Dee Shepard, coach of the Oxford equestrian program.

“We wish all our teams success at regionals this year in Mason at the Ingham County Fairgrounds.”

The scores

Oxford bested the competition at all three district meets, winning the championship with 643 points, with Notre Dame Prep second with 541 points, and also earning a trip to the MIHA Region E Championship. Lapeer, 316 points, and Lake Orion, 288 points, rounded out he B division teams.

Teams compete based on the number of riders, with B teams having between five and 10 riders.

What’s next

The Wildcats will travel to the Ingham County Fairgrounds Sept. 27-29 for the regional competition where they will compete against seven other district champions and reserve championship teams. Riders will continue to compete in showmanship, huntseat, saddleseat, western, jumping and timed events.

The top two teams will earn a chance to chase the state title. The MIHA State Championship is held Oct. 9-13 at the Midland County Fairgrounds.

Oxford has made it to the state championship for the past 19 years straight.

Riders looking forward

While the district competition had ups and downs for all riders, the team is prepared for what’s next.

For Zanna Sayeau, a senior captain of the team, she’s learning more than how to win.

“The highlight of earning another district championship is being able to move up to the next step and having more competition, and of course continuing the streak,” she said. “I have learned a lot being on the team, like what it is like to be a good leader – to be strong and kind.”

Co-captain Emerson Lantz said they are looking forward to the tougher competition.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone does at regionals,” the senior said. “Personally, I love regionals. I can’t wait to do some harder patterns and fight even harder for the win.”

Emerson added, “The highlight of the season so far has been seeing my teammates really come together in their riding and bonding as a team, Also keeping the streak of winning districts 20 years in a row!”