The Equestrian Team
In this article, Bella gives information about the GPHS Equestrian Team and states the urgency for this group to get more publicity.
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The "Art and Skill" of Horsemanship
The "Art and Skill" of Horsemanship
By: Bella Eichmann
By: Bella Eichmann
The Equestrian Team of Grants Pass High School puts their whole heart into the sport, working day and night with their horses. This incredible group of people should be more widely known and appreciated for their dedication and hard work in such a cool sport.
Equestrianism is the "art and skill” of horsemanship, according to EBSCO. It includes a wide range of activities, from show jumping to recreational riding. Horseback riding dates back to ancient Greece, when they used to ride chariots in the Olympic Games. Since then, riding has evolved differently in different parts of the world, mainly the “Western” and “English” styles. Different horse breeds are favored for different kinds of riding. Some popular breeds are Apaloosas and Thoroughbreds. These breeds are popular for learning the foundational skills of riding. Equestrian riding can also provide professional roles in the future, like breeders, trainers, and more.
Photo from US Equestrian
The term "equestrian" comes from equus, meaning horse in Latin. Many old statues of military heroes are equestrian. The sculptures usually include a man sitting nobly on a horse. Merriam-Webster states that "the horse's stance varies; depending on whether the rider was killed in battle or survived, was victorious or defeated, the horse traditionally stands with four, three, or two hooves on the ground.” These statues used to be popular in the 20th century, when many people were trained in equestrian skills.
Painting by June Dudley
A Scroll interview with juniors Addison Alger and Shaina Parker brings to light the urgency for this incredible group to become more widely recognized. The two highlight their need for school funding, especially with costs for transportation, setup, and more on the rise. Alger's grandparents helped found the Equestrian Team, leading her to have a deep connection with the sport from a young age. She remembers going to the events with her family, and instantly falling in love with it. Her friend and fellow teammate, Shaina Parker, had a bit of a different path to the sport, however. Like all young girls, she had a deep love for horses. She had a horse in her earlier years, but it wasn't until a family friend suggested that she join the team that she really got hooked. Now, Alger, Parker, and eight others make up the Equestrian Team of Grants Pass High School. Recently, the team got ninth place in State, after securing an impressive spot of second in Districts, even after three meets!
The GPHS Equestrian team is classified as a club sport at Grants Pass High School, even though we have one of the largest amounts of horses for a team in this area. With 17 horses in total, Alger and Parker each show three. Parker shows two mares: one grey, named Marcie, and one black and white, named Sierra. She also shows a mini, named Peanut. Alger shows a gelding, named Beau, a ginger mare named Lady, and the coach's mini pony, named Cody. When asked what their favorite part about being on the team was, the two both agreed that it was the people. They talked about how caring and considerate everyone on the team is, and referred to them as their "family”. Alger states that being an equestrian is "Engraved into who we are." They both know that this sport is going to be a part of them for the rest of their lives.
Being on the Equestrian team is more than just playing a sport. It is a lifestyle that can be very physically and mentally demanding at times, but those who can handle it seem to stay with it forever. Grants Pass High School's Equestrian Team deserves school funding so that they can get the resources they need to continue going to events. We need to spread the word about our team to as many people as possible. Hopefully, with our help, Equestrian team members will not be paying for everything by themselves much longer.
Grants Pass High School Equestrian Team Logo
Sources:
Sources:
Interview with Addison Alger
Interview with Shaina Parker
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