The Dragon football team might be strong, and their cross country stars might be fast, but only one Lake Orion squad boasts true horsepower.
The Lake Orion equestrian team, seven riders in all, has been practicing since late July in anticipation of their fall season, which kicks off this weekend at the Oakland County Fairgrounds in Davisburg.
Coached by Greg DuFour, the team moves up from Division C to Division B this season, as they’ve added two riders.
‘We did really well for our first year,? DuFour said of last year’s campaign. ‘We placed fourth in our district.?
According to DuFour, Lake Orion had a rider go on her own to districts a couple of years ago (Kaitlin Denton), but the actual team is really just in its second year, operating as a club team under the watch of the Dragon Guided Activities Program.
Last spring, a junior team of four middle school riders (coached by Maribeth Fasseel) took second in their district. A couple of those riders could join the high school squad next year.
‘The legacy is starting to grow, DuFour noted. ‘As the team is growing, we’re gaining momentum.?
The team includes senior Hanna Paul, a transfer from 2007 Division A Reserve Champion Milford, juniors Paige Hartman, Christine Laba and Megan Milen, sophomores Heather DuFour and Sarah Duncan and freshman Kayla Karas.
The riders have many responsibilities that go beyond what typical athletes encounter.
‘It’s not like other sports, where you can go down to the Sports Authority and get a pair of cleats,? DuFour noted. ‘Along with training the rider, the horse is an athlete in this event, too.?
For riders, there are logistics involved with leasing/owning and transporting their horses, along with the occasional emergency calls to tend to them.
The training is not easy, either, as riders must familiarize themselves, and their horses, with a variety of competition styles, including (English) Hunt Seat, Western, Saddle Seat and some speed events.
‘We ask the girls to go above and beyond,? DuFour said. ‘The amount they do in practice is about 10-percent of their riding for the week.?
The team competes as part of the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association, with over 350 other squads in various divisions.
Teams like Oxford and Clarkston will be part of Lake Orion’s district, which competes Sept. 20-21 at the Amber Way Stables in Ortonville.
‘To me, it’s more about learning than winning,? DuFour noted. ‘Although winning is always a goal.?
In a judged sport like equestrian, DuFour said the team has to support decisions made by the judges, and they take sportsmanship very seriously.
The squad gathers every Thursday night at the Oak Pointe Stables in Oxford, and DuFour credited owner Jeanne Tuzik for being such a gracious host.
‘She is just a top-shelf host for us,? he said. ‘She makes sure to get all of our girls on horses and she can accommodate us, rain or shine, with the indoor arena.?
The team is privately funded, with costs typically higher than the school’s pay-for-play costs. It is possible, however, for new riders to join.
DuFour added that area riders can possibly join Lake Orion’s team if their school doesn’t offer the sport.
In the meantime, the team is hard at work preparing for their busy month.
‘The energy level is really good,? DuFour said. ‘Where we’ll see the camaraderie build is when we get into the competitions.
‘The maturity has doubled this year,? he added. ‘In both the riders and the horses.?
To learn more about the team, or to contact Coach DuFour, visit www.freewebs.com/lakeorionequestrian.