The Battle Ground High School equestrian team will kick off its season with an informational barbecue kickoff to meet coaches, teammates and to register for the season.
The Jessica Merkowsky, Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) co-adviser for the Tigers, is looking forward to building off of last year’s success, she said. Two athletes on the equestrian team advanced to the Pacific Northwest Regional Championship last season. Now, not only does Merkowsky and the team want to celebrate their success, but they want to spread awareness about the team to gather new athletes and support.
The not-for-profit team competes with other high school districts across the state of Washington in various equine sports: barrel racing, cow sorting, roping, jumping, dressage, pony cart and other equestrian disciplines.
“The beauty of WAHSET is you get to try just about anything,” Merkowsky said. “You have the opportunity to try any event that is offered through the WAHSET program for grades nine through 12. They have anywhere from the more precise, more pretty events, where you’re doing patterns with just you and your horse in the arena, to team events, to your speed events, to opportunities to work with cattle events and rodeo events.”
For students wanting to get their start, Merkowsky said it is possible to join the equestrian team without a horse.
“They have what they call a groom position, which is for a non-horse position,” Merkowsky said. “They have the opportunity to help, to learn, maybe they have a horse that isn’t quite ready to compete, they can come to the practices and practice with us — everything up until the actual competition itself. So if they join with a non-experienced horse and then the coaches and them feel that the horse is ready for competition, they can switch to a full riding position and be able to compete with the other athletes at competition, as well.”
She added that the groom position is great for growth and for somebody with a passion for horses who just wants to be involved.
The season spans the length of the school year, but many athletes on the Battle Ground team spend time together over the summer as coach Jenna Anderson said the team is like one big family.
The team is sponsored by Battle Ground High School, but participants are available to join from the entire district along with a co-op that allows students from Prairie High School and Seton Catholic College Preparatory High School and homeschoolers to join the equestrian team.
The team’s barbecue will occur at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 Those interested in joining the team can RSVP by calling 360-869-8835 or by emailing battle groundequestrian@gmail.com.
