2009 Retrospective

The equestrian staff took a moment to reflect on some of the memorable events in 2009.

• New enthusiastic and energetic staff members joined the equestrian staff in 2009.
• Showing Under the Stars seems to be a staff favorite especially the Halloween edition where many of the staff join with students for the costume parade.
• Rob Jacob’s win at the IHSA National Championships in the Novice Over Fences division was a moment to remember.
• Every IHSA western team rider placed in their class at the National Championships.
• IDA team qualified two riders (Greta Friesen and Lauren Parker) for the National Championships.
• Restructuring saw the creation of the Equine Studies Department, chaired by Pebbles.
• The successful creation and delivery of online classes in both Equine Business and Therapeutic Riding.

Horse wise we said goodbye to Gunsmoke (GQ), Jester, Kampari, and Tuffin. Satchmo retired to Shelby French’s farm in Sweet Briar and Wheels found a child locally in Laurinburg. (He actually lives with Mike Kryszak). Bobby Lou went to live at Ann Neal Thompson’s farm and Lucky found himself a family in the Hope Mills area and competes in dressage and jumping at local shows with his teenage owner.