 |
 |
 |
5/8/2008
NORTH SMITHFIELD - They were thrilled just to get there, and when the Phoenix Rising Middle School Equestrian Team placed sixth in the country, it triggered euphoria.
"This is a remarkable accomplishment, given this is our team's first year of competition in the National Interscholastic Equestrian Association," said Debra McManus, team founder and sponsor. "We were proud to represent Rhode Island as the first team from this state to compete in the nationals at this level, and proud that our team did so well."
The three-day nationals took place April 18-20 at the site of the Big E in Springfield, Mass., and included 300 riders representing 68 teams from across the U.S.
To reach the nationals, the 17 riders of the local team, made up of residents from throughout northern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, competed against more than 30 teams across New England from September to March.
Then, they faced stiff competition at the regional and zone level to secure a coveted spot to attend the 2008 nationals, both as individual riders and for the team, and qualified for the nationals.
"Each and every rider, whether they were at the beginner level or advanced, contributed to the team's season success," said Kris Thomson, head riding coach.
Each rider is required to successfully maneuver their horses through a series of obstacles and jumps of varying heights, while maintaining proper posture and poise, in order to earn points.
Several individual team members enjoyed particularly strong performances in Springfield. Jacquelynn Garcia, a 6th-grader from Cumberland, placed fourth in her beginner flat class; Chanelle Osko, an 8th-grader from Lincoln, captured second place in her fences class; Daniel Forte, a 9th-grader from Smithfield, placed fifth in the intermediate fences class; Marissa Murray, an 8th-grader from North Attleboro, placed eighth in her class.
In addition, Rachel Fox, an 8th-grader from Smithfield, and Murray, placed first and second in national horsemanship for the middle school teams to give the team enough points for their sixth place national finish.
In the interscholastic competitions, points are scored from riders on all levels, from beginners to advanced, and riders compete in their own age and ability levels. As a result, new riders are able to score as many points for their team as the most accomplished riders.
"You have to have a very well-rounded team in order to succeed at these levels," said McManus. "The students just did a magnificent job, and we're more than proud of them and their accomplishment."
Making Phoenix Rising's national showing more remarkable is the fact that in addition to being a first-year program, the team successfully competed against established private programs from states where horse riding is commonplace.
The unique aspect of the competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the horses, saddle and other tack are all provided to the students at the show.
"This program is terrific for riders who work hard but don't have their own horses, and not having to transport horses to shows makes the program much more affordable for competitors," said head coach Kris Thomson.
Though the rider and horse will have a short opportunity at orientation, essentially the horses will be new to the rider, and the scores are based upon rider ability, not the horse. There are seven levels of riding, serving beginners through advanced riders.
The program is modeled after college equestrian programs, and numerous colleges that have equestrian programs had scouts at the national competition.
"The Interscholastic program is a great opportunity for riders to get noticed and recruited to college teams, and it provides the skills for riders to join teams in college. There is an increasing amount of scholarship money in both programs," said Amanda Hare, Wheaton College coach, who also trains at Phoenix Rising.
Although the team obviously had the talent to compete, it took a perfect storm of events to get them to the nationals.
"It just happened that they were in Springfield, within driving distance, this year," said McManus.
Phoenix Rising Horse Farm was Acres Wild Farm when McManus and her husband, Dan Geer, acquired the property 10 years ago.
Equestrian is far more than just climbing onto an animal and strutting around an arena. McManus, a trained behavioral psychologist, said the sport provides a context for kids to learn about life, responsibility and goals.
She stresses education, and students at Phoenix Rising are required to bring their school report cards to the farm to prove they are able to balance school work with the time spent at the riding academy.
"We have a working student program where kids can earn money toward their lessons and rentals, and that helps teach them organization and responsibility," said McManus. "Every student is required to care for their own equipment and also groom the animals."
