Document text
Serious horseplay Photo by Steve Johnson Melissa Wate trots through pylons during a practice of Rogue River High School's new equestrian team at the Arrowhead Ranch in Phoenix. Equestrian teams give students a chance to combine their love of horses with the camaraderie of high school sports. High school equestrian teams are growing in popularity By VICKI GUARINO Cinches tightened. Helmets on. Varsity team practice is about to begin. A growing number of high school students are joining equestrian teams to combine their love of horses with the camaraderie of school sports. "The other kids are all in high school, so this is a lot of fun," says St. Mary's equitation team captain Chelsea Calhoun. One night a week, the St. Mary's team shares an arena at Arrowhead Ranch in Phoenix with Rogue River's Chieftain team. Both teams are small -- three to four members -- and new to the fast-growing school sport. Chieftain captain Kate-Marie Pellissier says the varsity program gives riders more opportunities to compete than the other major youth equestrian program, 4-H. 4-Hers have one show, the Jackson County Fair; varsity equestrians have three shows. Equestrians are in the middle of their show season. Southern Oregon teams held their first competition last month, with the other shows to follow April 15-16 and April 29-30. All shows are at the Jackson County Expo Park. Students compete in about 20 events, from drill team work to jumping to barrel racing. Students pay $130 to join the league and buy their own team jerseys and helmets. Some teams have purchased matching tack. With the formation of St. Mary's and Rogue River teams this school year, the Southern Oregon varsity league has grown to 15 schools. The league spans North and South Medford, Crater and Eagle Point high schools in Jackson County as well as North Bend, Coquille and Marshfield schools. "It has grown very, very rapidly. We're getting a tremendous amount of interest," says league director Jim Roper. "Our league grew by 30 percent this year. We have 127 kids involved." Statewide, the sport has nearly 600 competitors from 90 schools. Every year, top competitors travel to Salem for state championships. Back at home, team members can earn a varsity letter and a place in the yearbook. "It's also opening up a lot of opportunities for them," says Roper. Besides the benefits of training and competition, scholarships are being offered to ranking equestrians, Roper says. The entire program has grown from nothing in just six years. "It all started in Grants Pass with some parents who wanted their kids to be able to compete in the school," says Roper. "This enables them to stay with a sport they love and get more experience." Parents are heavily involved. In addition to hauling their youngster's horses to evening practices -- Chieftains have two a week -- many take up the duties of coaches and trainers. Chelsea Calhoun's mother, Susan, coaches the St. Mary's team and manages the Rogue River team. Kate-Marie Pellissier's mother, Holli, coaches the Rogue River team. Both mother and daughter Pellissier say they wanted the equestrian sport available to Rogue River youngsters. When Kate-Marie began her freshman classes last fall, Holli went to work getting the school board's permission and organizing the horse team to represent the high school. Rogue River sophomore Erika Thoulion says she has ridden all her life, but had no friends who shared her interest. "I thought being on the equestrian team would be a way to meet other girls who like horses," she says. In the process of making friends, Erika says, she's getting lessons for the first time. "I'm learning what I'm doing wrong, and how to fix what I'm doing wrong instead of giving up," she says. And after weeks of drills and practices, coach Pellissier says she can see some important changes among team members. "They're all more relaxed," she says. "More smiles." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA