OHSET

I just spent a fair portion of the evening looking for music for my OHSET drill team.  This of course allows me a nice transition into  providing a quick description of OHSET. 

Oregon High School Equestrian Teams is a program in the State of Oregon (WASET is in Washington) that allows high school aged kids to compete in equestrian sports.  Participating schools treat OHSET like a regular team sport, so kids can "letter" in horses.  Can I just say, WAY COOL.  I would have given my left toe to have had this program when I was in high school.  It it a pretty neat concept in that it has classes for the most common horse disciplines - gaming, dressage, jumping, cow events, drill, driving, in-hand events, trail, working rancher....  I have to say, they've done a pretty good job of setting things up so that, unlike other equestrian programs, "S(he) who has the shiniest saddle" doesn't always win.  It isn't a perfect program, but it is pretty stinkin' cool. 

So, anyhow, I coach the drill team for one of the OHSET participating schools.  This is my fourth year with this particular school which means that kids that were freshmen when I started are graduating this year.  Ugh.  ( They always have a way of reminding you that you're getting older. )

As a coach, I have to say, I've been very lucky.  I've gotten to work with a lot of cool kids.  I've had several kids who, when they started, knew nothing about horses, horsemanship, or riding.  But, they wanted to learn and were willing to work hard.  The end result of that kind of dedication is that kids who started the season barely able to stay up on their horses usually finished the season carrying flags and loping around the arena full speed.  It's a great thing to see.

I don't have any kids of my own, so these kids are the closest I get.  I keep the senior pictures of my graduates on the refrigerator.  That way, I can see and remember them. 

Anyhow, I guess I would encourage anyone who is horsaii in the states of Oregon or Washington:  If you have a little spare time, find yourself a team and volunteer.   They can use all the help they can get and I promise that it will be a rewarding experience.  Sometimes, you will want to pull your hair out, but most of the time, you will laugh and have a good time. 

And yes, at some point, I will figure out how to post some pictures....