All smiles from the state champions in the Oxford Equestrian team. From left, Mikayla Winter, Myra Kent, Deedee Hernandez, Delaney Clark, Grace VandenBerghe and Ian Frank. Photos: Provided by Dee Shepard

By Wendi Reardon Price
Staff Writer
MIDLAND — The Oxford Equestrian team missed going to the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Championship last year but they made up for this year when they finished as 2023 Class B State Champions.
“It was hard fought,” said Dee Shepard, head coach. “The kids did a great job. They were very motivated this year.”
Oxford earned 263 points for their first place finish with Lowell in second place with 258 points; and Owosso, third, 258.
“For the last 24 years we have made states every year. Last year was the first year we had not made it and we missed it by three points,” Shepard said. “I think it really motivated the kids and the parents, not to mention the coaches. We’re not used to not making it there. They worked hard. You go so many years and then it is just taken for granted. We beat ourselves last year. They didn’t want that to happen again this year.”
The Oxford Equestrian team includes senior team captain Deedee Hernandez with her horses, Dixie and Blu; senior Grace VandenBerghe with her horse, Benson; senior Myra Kent with her horse, JJ; junior team captain Delaney Clark with her horses, Sampson and Nacho; junior Ian Frank with his horses, Snow and Larry; and freshman Mikaya Winter with her horses, Tucker and Elle.
Shepard added some highlights from the season weren’t marked with awards. It was how the riders competed and presented themselves and also how they worked with other teams.
“If they saw someone needed help, needed equipment, they were right there to help them out,” she said. “Really good sportsmanship – all the teams not just us. The progress you see from previous years, for me as a coach that’s always a highlight when you see the maturity level going up.”
The equestrian team began the season with districts in September with teams the same size in Class B.
“We went up against Rochester and Armada.” Shepard said. “They were pretty competitive. Armada gave us a run for our money and they ended up taking second and coming to regionals with us.”
Next was regionals at Mason Fairgrounds for three days against seven teams. Oxford finished in second place and Lowell finished in first.
Next was states, the riders have 17 classes to compete in over the course of five days at the state competition. Each class has two judges.
“We had a couple of kids who won individually at states which is pretty phenomenal because you are going against ten other teams and some classes had 14 kids and some had 25-30 riders,” Shepard said. “The kids had one rough day and they really buckled down the next day. It’s easy to get ahead and then start relaxing.
“All the riders gave extra at that one. We have one young man, Ian, who has been with us the last few years. He always did speed and I asked him to do something different this year. He worked his butt off and got pretty darn good. He had to learn a new horse, but his horse really liked him so it worked out.”
VandenBergh won her western bareback class under both judges. Winter won three of her showmanship classes. Clark won the over fences class under both judges. Hernandez took a second in her western riding class and a third in flags. Frank took a first in flags and a 1 – 2 finish in the two-man relay with his partner, Clark. Kent placed fifth in her western riding class.
“Mikaya, our freshman, was so sweet,” Shepard shared, adding she had to learn to ride a new horse. “The horse has to trust you. You have to learn what buttons work for the horse. Horses are going to push you. They are going to push you until you figure out how to stop it.”
Oxford finished as the state champions and Lowell finished in second.
“Lowell has been a great team,” Shepard said. “They have beat us consistently for the last three years. But, this year we gave them a good run for their money. They just barely beat us. It’s nice when you finally get your nemesis.”
She added it was a phenomenal group of students and parents this year and they had great sponsors.
“Our sponsors really helped move us along and get us to all the events,” Shepard said. “Parents were phenomenal – that’s something you can’t go without is parents being involved. They have to hold the horse, help get the kids ready. It’s quite involved and the more you are in it like anything it’s very involved sports.”
She added the horses need experience and the riders need to work with the horses.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “The kids have done a great job.”