New Equestrian Club broadens horizons for horse enthusiasts
Written by Christian Rutten, Former Student on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Some exciting new clubs have been created this year here at SHS, one of which is the Snohomish Valley Equestrian Team. This club opens many doors to kids. “You don’t even need to own a horse,” says club advisor and agricultural science teacher Stacy Lischke. “You can borrow a horse from another member or even a neighbor to ride at lessons and compete at events with.”
Although the club will primarily hold meetings here at SHS, all practices and competitions are not directly linked to the school. The club is open to all students, from grade 9-12 here in Snohomish County. The club is a branch of the Washington High School Equestrian Teams.
This club is a great way for kids to meet new friends and excel. The club offers opportunities to receive scholarships that range from a couple hundred dollars to full rides and it allows riders to participate in competitions through the state and Oregon. The price of joining the Snohomish Valley Equestrian Team is ten dollars, and a 200 dollar annual Washington High School Equestrian Teams fee, or a 220 dollar fee to do cow events. Also, there is a 60 dollar stall fee per show, per horse. December 15 is the latest date to register for the club.
Practices will be held at different locations for different events, some determined practice places are the Snohomish Stables and Snika Ranch. Other practice areas are to be determined.
Shows will be held at the Clark and Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds. The first show is January 23-25 and two more shows will be held in February and March.
“Snohomish County has the largest horse population in the state,” says Lischke. “My ultimate goal is to become established as good riders in our area and have more shows held in our area then once we are established I would love it if this club could branch off into smaller clubs that represent schools.”
“This is not a strict 4-H type of event. It is parent run and riders have the ultimate say in all decisions made, there are no herdsmen-ship logs and no pressure put on from adults. We just want everyone to have fun on some horses!”
For more information on the club visit room E-133 before or after school and for more information on shows, registration deadlines and opportunities this will create, visit WAHSET.org. “I’ve ridden horses for years and wanted to do it through school. This is more competitive than FFA shows and you will compete against other districts. The disciplines are different, it’s more competitive and competitions are bigger,” says Club President Junior Carliann Espanosa. “It’s good friendly competition that opens a lot of opportunities to riders.”
