Three seniors get Clay team riding in equestrian meets

By: 
J. Patrick Eaken

        In the spring of 2018, then Clay sophomores Emma Hansen, Raecie Jones and Megan Clark presented to Principal Jim Jurski a proposal.
        The trio asked for permission to create a Clay equestrian team that would compete in the Ohio Interscholastic Horsemanship Association starting their junior year. Clay had never before in its history had an equestrian team. 
        Through the OIHA, Clay would be able to compete against other schools segmented by region, then by size of the team. Jurski must have said yes, because the team narrowly missed qualifying for the Division III state meet this year. 
        “I helped turn the dream of a Clay equestrian team into a reality with Raecie and Emma last year. Our first year together was a learning process. We had a few bumps here and there,” Clark said.
        Jones added, “The season was full of laughs and memories, so happy I had the chance to experience creating and participating in the Clay equestrian team."
        In the fall of 2018, Clay had six riders in its inaugural year, losing two seniors to graduation.
        “Overall the first year was impressive for us being a new smaller team,” Clark said. “We got fifth in our district last year. I was already so proud. When I started my senior year, I was so excited, we had more riders, and we had more experience.”
        The fall of 2019 brought four new riders, bringing the total to eight. Clay had four repeat riders, Hansen, Jones, and Clark, now seniors, and home-schooled junior Elizabeth Cox. Joining them were Northwood senior Kassidi Ratliff, Northwood sophomore Neveah Smith, Clay freshman Katherine Clark and Clay sophomore Isabelle Koren.  
        “Each of our riders brings different experiences and skills to the team,” said Clay coach Amy Hansen. “The Clay team has a greater number of western riders that do racing events, however we were able to round out some of the other competition categories in 2019 like Western Showmanship, Hunt Seat Showmanship, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship and Trail.”
        Emma Hansen, who rode with Bailey, a Quarterhorse/Paint mixed breed, said, "I thought our second season went very well. It was so much fun to watch a group of riders from different schools and different barns come together to learn and compete together as one team.  I had to learn to step out of my comfort zone on many events that I had never competed in before, so our team could try to win as many points as possible. 
        “Most of our team has only western riding and racing experience. Everyone really tries to help one another out, including other teams’ coaches. It was one of my favorite high school experiences by far. If I could, I would do it again in a heartbeat." 
        Clark, who rode with Rowdy’s Rebel Star, nicknamed “Bob,” a Quarterhorse, added, “Our second year was definitely a kick-butt year for us — a huge difference between year one and this year.
        “As a senior, it is bittersweet to be a few points away from being in first place but I am also beyond proud of the girls on my team and how much effort each girl gave and how much love each girl has for the sport and their horse. Equestrian team was one of the best things I did. I will always have lifelong horse friends from EQ team."
 
Katherine Clark sets the pace
        Clay’s top point setter this year went to Katherine Clark and her horse RJG Time to Beam, nicknamed “Jimmy”, a Quarterhorse. She scored 71 points out of 158. 
        “I feel the team did very well, being only the second year for Clay High School and my first year, as a freshman,” Katherine said. “The team improved greatly from the first year to the second year. Looking forward to next year, with more experience we can improve, and on a personal note, I hope to be able to improve on my 71 team points from last year."
        Cox with horse Toby, an Appaloosa, racked up 23 team points and had Clay’s only first place event award of the season in Trail (week three). 
        “Every year I have an amazing time with my equestrian team,” Cox said. “We all put so much effort into competing with our team. We work so well together and help each other along the way with numerous things.  In my opinion, this season went great.  We were more prepared for what each day was going to consist of. 
        “I think as a team, our favorite time of the day is when speed classes began — especially two-man-relay.  All the energy that everyone has during that short amount of time is amazing.  Every year I look forward to the next, because I know our team will always support each other," Cox continued.
        Coming in a close third with 18½ and 18 points consecutively are Jones with her horse Gabby (Quarterhorse/Paint) and Ratliff with KC’s Texas Outlaw (Quarterhorse).  Jones and Ratliff placed in each of the three weeks competing together in the two-person Relay team event.  
        “I think that it was amazing how we all came together as a team and did something amazing that not everyone can experience.  I am so glad I could be a part of this team," Ratliff said.
        There were three teams in Clay’s division this fall — Clay, Genoa and Fremont. Overall, Clay finished sixth in all divisions within District 3, scoring 158 points to finish behind Hopewell-Loudon (450), Oak Harbor (397), Clyde (267), Port Clinton (192), Genoa (186) and ahead of Fremont (83). Napoleon won the Division I state title, Clyde won D-II and Wauseon D-III. Genoa qualified for state in D-III, narrowly defeating Clay.
        “This was one of the best matched teams between Genoa and Clay,” Amy Hansen said. “We had the same types of rider experiences, speed racers...We were literally neck-in-neck to the finish line on the last speed events of the last meet to determine who would move on to states.   
        “Genoa pulled ahead in a strong way to take the point lead, when they placed first, third and fourth in Poles racking up 19 points.  WIth only two events left, Clay would have to run fast and perfect in Stakes and two-person Relay races. With Emma, Raecie, Lizzie, Kassidi, Neveah running Stakes, we had opportunity,” Hansen continued.
        “However, only one placed with Kassidi taking third.  Clay goes into the last event of the day for the last chance to make up some very needed points.  In week one, all three two-person relay teams placed, so we knew we had done it before.  However, it just didn't work out on that day, at that race.  Our relay team of Raecie and Kassidi placed seventh in that last race, but wasn't enough to bring up our point total to qualify for States.”  
        Koren, in her first season, rode with Sadie, a Quarterhorse.
        “It's a great experience. You get so close with the team and everyone on the team are big supporters, always healing out and looking after one another,” Koren said. “I recommend the Clay equestrian team to get noticed more and for people to join the team."
        Smith rode with Versed in Art, or “Stella,” a mixed Quarterhorse and Thoroughbred.
        “My first season with these girls was absolutely memorable,” Smith said. “I had plenty of ups and downs throughout the season. My most memorable moment is when I broke through the fence at our show. In short, I definitely left my mark in people's minds, in the dirt and, most importantly the fence. I wouldn't change my journey with everyone I met this season for anything I look forward to the next one."
 

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