Friday, February 18, 2011

Last Sunday's Equestrian Show



This past Sunday Garrison hosted an Interscholastic Equestrian Association show.  Many of the students from Garrison who are on the IEA Team rode in this show. Everyone had a great show.  The GFS Middle School team ended up coming in 1st place overall.  The GFS Upper School team came in 3rd  place overall.  This horse show was our last one before Regionals.  Many of the students on the GFS Team have qualified for Regional’s which will also be held at GFS. Come support our team!

Sunday wasn’t only a long day of hard work, but it was a sad day for all the riders and coaches too. One of the schools brought their horse named Willie.  In the middle of the show there is something called schooling which is when you show all the other teams your horses, and get them warmed up before they show. During schooling while Willie was jumping he had a seizure. The seizure caused him to trip over the jump and crash into the dirt.  Willie ended up snapping his neck.  Sadly no one could save him.  Not only were the Madeira girls devastated, but every other barn was too.  Willie and the Madeira girls will remain in everyone’s thoughts.  

When I walked into the ring for my jumping class, I was a little nervous because I was riding a horse that I had never ridden before.  I walked into the ring wondering how my horse was going to behave. After my two warm up jumps, I felt a little more confident.  My coach gave me a little advice and we went over my course one last time.  During my course I was so scared that I was going to forget my course.  But about half way through my course I felt comfortable and wanted to win my class.  Since I went 2nd I had to watch all the other riders and compare them to me.  I ended up getting second in my division; I was very happy, and proud of myself.   

-- Writing and Photos by Jackie W. and Gabi S.