By Liz Shepard
Special to The Leader
For the eighth year in a row an equestrian team from Oxford High School has earned the title of district champions, qualifying them for this weekends regional championship.
With 15 riders from the school, the students were split into two teams for the 2007-08 season, competing in western, huntseat, saddleseat and speed classes. Teams compete based on size in the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association.
After Sunday’s final meet at the district level, Oxford’s A team was named MIHA District II Champions, earning 775 points over the three meets ? about 475 points more than their closest competitor, Romeo High School.
‘The kids were very well prepared and worked very hard for their win, but their true challenge will be coming at the regional event when the competition is going to become very, very tough,? said coach Dee Shepard. ‘The bar will be raised.?
The A team also beat teams from Rochester Adams, Notre Dame Prep, Lapeer East, Goodrich, Brandon and Clarkston for a trip to the regional championship this weekend.
With the number of riders joining, and with many heavy in the same discipline, Shepard said breaking up the teams offered each student more opportunities to ride. Oxford is one of several schools with multiple teams this year.
Oxford’s C team finished a close third in their district competition, with their last meet Saturday. The team rallied during their last competition to win the meet, coming just one point shy of the district reserve championship and 41 points short of the championship.
‘The last meet proved what I knew they had the capabilities for,? Shepard said. ‘We have really high hopes for next year.?
With seven back-to-back trips to the state championship motivating them, Oxford’s A team will now focus on making their drive to win at the regional level.
Competition will start Saturday at the Shiawassee County Fairground in Corunna and continue through Sunday. Oxford will be riding against teams including Marine City High School and last year’s state champions Milford High School.
To qualify to ride at the MIHA State Championship Oct. 11-14 at the Midland Fairgrounds, Oxford must come in first or second place this weekend.
Last year, Oxford ended 5th in the state, and 2nd at the regional level behind Milford. Throughout their seven years at the state championship, Oxford has come home with four MIHA State Reserve Champion titles, not yet having taken the top spot.
Oxford entered this year’s season with a string of success stories, as many riders competed at 4-H and circuit shows throughout the summer. The teams also practiced twice a week in preparation for the season.
As a team, the Oxford students took home their first win at the Michigan State Fair invitational against teams from across the state this summer.
Along with the riders? commitment to their sport, much of the teams success is due to the continued dedication of parents, professionals and volunteers who take their time to work with them, Shepard said, as well as the constant support from the Oxford Middle School Equestrian Team.