Equestrian Team

General Information
Sam Barlow’s equestrian team is a participating member of Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET). The OHSET program was first started in 1993 with a primary goal of promoting recognition in high schools of the equestrian athlete in a fair, positive, and educational format through team participation, peer acceptance, and learning good horsemanship. OHSET’s program is dedicated to encouraging the student athlete to develop lifetime skills of teamwork and self-discipline.

The OHSET Season
A typical season for the equestrian team starts the first week in November with practices two or three times a week. Competition season consists of three District meets that run all weekend long starting the first weekend in February. Athlete’s that qualify for State compete over Mother’s Day weekend in Redmond, Oregon. In June there is a regional meet for Washington and Oregon athlete’s that qualify during the State competition. The regional competition alternates between Redmond, OR and Moses Lake, WA.

Team Membership
There are two ways to join the equestrian team; either as a groom or a competing athlete. The main difference between a groom and competing athlete is the groom’s role is to help the competing members get their horses ready for competition. Grooms may ride their own horse at practices but they are not allowed to compete at meets.

Events
There are many events from which to choose that fall into four main categories.  

1. Performance – technical events done predominantly on an English mount or by in-hand (leading the horse from ground).
2. Timed – mostly gaming events such as pole bending, barrel racing, etc.
3. Team – events that consist of more than one athlete. The most common team event is Drill.
4. Cows – these have both individual and team events.

The athlete’s participation at a meet is limited to five individual events and unlimited team events. To find out more about each of the events go to OHSET’s website at https://ohset.com.