For those unfamiliar, equestrian is a sport that is entirely based off the art of horseback riding. Each player competes within the riding disciplines of equestrian, the styles of riding horses during practices and competitions. These disciplines include that of hunter/jumper, dressage, and western pleasure, to name a few. Players must maintain the endurance and skills required in order to ride their horses correctly.

The horses equestrians ride typically weigh between 800 to 1,200 pounds and measure up to around five feet in height, often making it difficult for players to control their animals.

Sarah Scherer, co-captain of the CCHS equestrian team, began the sport in the second grade and since then has established an understanding of horses through her many years of riding. “Your teammate is a horse, an animal with a mind of its own. You can’t speak to them with words, but horses definitely react to your confidence. A horse is a herd animal, and it depends on its rider for leadership,” Sarah explained.

In equestrian, each player must wear equestrian attire: long pants that vary in color based off the discipline, a white collar button-up shirt, a necktie, and knee-high boots. Most of the time, players wear team polo shirts when practicing, but equestrian attire is worn during competitions, or shows.

The CCHS equestrian team participates in the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League, a publicly supported non-profit corporation, which is based in San Juan Capistrano where the shows take place.

Mr. David Smola, the assistant principal and athletic director of CCHS, stated,”Equestrian is for students who are already participating and are at a competition level.”

Mr. Smola further explained that there are usually ten to fifteen members on a team, and that Equestrian teams do not follow the CIF time frame and are not in any CIF divisions.

Equestrian shows take place all weekend with one show on each day. Although it is not a CIF sport, Mr. Smola explained that there have been plenty of Equestrian team members who have received scholarships. Surprisingly, there have only ever been two male equestrians since the CCHS team developed in 2005.

In regards to ranking and scoring during a competition, a team member is given a score between 1-100. A score of 90-100 is impossible to achieve (even for Olympians). However, a score of 80 is possible.

Olivia LaQua, a participant in Equestrian for ten years, said she joined the CCHS Equestrian team because her friends were also joining the team, and because Olivia also loves animals. She also said that team members must take care of their own equipment and horses, and do whatever the trainer has instructed them to do.

The Dons equestrian team anticipates a successful season. Olivia said, “I think that we’re going to do pretty well this season! Last year we earned medals at several equestrian shows, and this year we are determined to bring home even more.”