For the Clarkston Equestrian Team, this season was supposed to be a rebuilding year after nine members graduated last year.
‘But nobody told the girls,? said Assistant Coach Rich Parke.
‘They didn’t get the memo,? added Assistant Coach Steve Gambrel.
The girls and their horses trained from June to September and proved they were not taking this year lightly. The B squad went into districts and regionals and won District 2 Division B Champions and Region B Division B Reserve Champions.
Being reserved champions took the girls to where they wanted to be ? the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Championship Oct. 9-12.
Huron ? New Boston won the championship and Clarkston placed in fifth, eight points away from third place.
The team won six first place finishes ? teams in the Division B had no more than four.
‘They did really well,? said Head Coach Don Miller. ‘Overall it was a very good showing.?
The championship consists of 17 events and is scored by two judges.
Captain Jacquelyn McClain was making her second trip to finals and was ready.
‘I expect to have as much fun,? said McClain. ‘I expect to win.?
McClain came back from finals winning state champion honors in the Saddle Seat Bareback class from Judge A and Reserve State Champion from Judge B in the same class.
McClain and Kasey McKay were state champions in jumping, giving the team a double first. McKay also won Reserve State Champion in jumping from Judge B.
Captain Alyssa Olson and teammate Darci Molina won their first go-around in the two-man relay and were state champions in the event.
Molina recorded a double first in the Indiana Flag Race.
Both judges awarded Erica Bono Reserve State Champion in Western Reining Class.
Danielle Bouchard was Saddle Seat Equitation Class Reserve State Champion from Judge A.
Katie Chasins was top ten in all of her classes.
The Clarkston Equestrian Team B squad had a total of 10 riders and 13 equine mounts. When finals came, the team was down one rider. They were also down to nine registered horses and two replacement horses because of injuries during training.
The girls are limited to competing in six classes, but are trained from eight to ten classes.
‘One thing that we stress on this team is versatility,? said Parke. ‘We have really tested them this year and really pushed them outside of their comfort zone and asked them to do different things so by the time they get here.?
McClain and Olson graduate this year and the rest of the team will be back next year ? ready to go to states again.