MEMBERS OF THE Battle Ground High School Equestrian Team are pictured here. Pictured are Elena Kent, Dixie Anderson, Cheyanne Anderson, Jessica Statham, Anna Korum, Hallye Byford, Ashley Statham, Taylre Byford, Emily Wagner, Dana Waddell, Natalie Quinn and Adviser Katie.
Members of the 2016 Battle Ground High School Equestrian Team hit the ground running and kicked off this season at their first WAHSET meet Jan. 21-24 at the Clark County Fairgrounds.
This year’s team is made up of four returning members, as well as seven new additions. Rebecca Waddell, one of the team’s advisers, said the four returning team members all have different areas where they’re strengths shine within the team.
“Emily (Wagner) is strong in showmanship, reining and working rancher as well as her leadership role within the team, going to the state meetings as the representative for the team,” Waddell said. “Jessie (Statham) is also strong in showmanship and is focused this year more on the gaming events. Dana’s (Waddell) focus is the English discipline of hunt seat, dressage and adding jumping this year. Dana was determined and focused and successfully pulled together the drill team for this year.”
Waddell expressed that each and every girl on the team and their horse is unique in their own way, and she said they are “all amazing.”
“Our goal and focus this year is to have fun, show strong and make Battle Ground proud,” Waddell said. “These girls have grown and come together to be one unit, supporting each other and helping each other.”
In the past, Battle Ground High School has had an equestrian team for many years. During the 2014-2015 school year, the team was restarted, making this the second year of getting the team back up and going. Waddell said their goal is to leave a legacy of a strong team and sportsmanship.
The team practices two times a week as a team, and each girl works multiple times individually and with their partners for pair events.
