The Horse Team

Photo courtesy of LBCC Equestrian Team

The stallion snorted at himself in the arena mirror. He danced back and forth on slim dappled legs and suddenly reared, throwing his head back to see over the white wall. The thunder of his voice echoed through the barn.

The stallion was borrowed for  the breeding season at the LBCC Horse Center. The center is too busy to have them here now but this is where the Equestrian Team practices for their horse shows and competitions all over the Northwest. Lately their competion has been quite successful.

But without the horses there wouldn't be a team.

They are Esther and Lola, Hazel and Kadene, Rita and Molly, a Belgian draft mix. Molly weighs almost 2,000 pounds. Kadene is old, 28 years old. Rita was born and trained here at the Horse Center. She was named after the former LB President Rita Cavin.

 The nineteen members of the Equestrian Team practice in the arena where the stallion was being held. Jenny Strooband, their team adviser and the department chair of agricultural science teaches them. During their training season there is one or two practices a week in the white arena on the heavy sand.

The E-Team is training for competitions that the other members of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association in their area host.

They've traveled as far as Canada. Danielle Saunders, a former member, told of a cold early morning during a show there. She said that while watching the expert riders warm up,  "I thought, that's what I want to do, that's what I want to be."

Every year the E-team hosts a show  at the Linn County Expo Center as part of their fund raising. They make up to $9,000.

Much of that money is used to cover travel expenses. E-Team members do not have to pay even for their hotel rooms. When their captain, Cole Newman and rider Halley Beaver went to Texas for the Western semi-finals, their tickets were paid for.

To Newman one of the best memories of riding was when he learned both he and Beaver made it past semi-finals and to nationals in Kentucky. “I was just really excited,” he said “It means we’re one of the top 12 teams in the nation."

"I think it's only going to get better. "

Membership on the E-team is only $35 a year, but they ask their riders to allow at least a $100 because of other expenses. Strooband said compared to the 11 other teams in the region that is cheap. The University of Oregon horse team membership dues are $300.

A limited number of beginners are allowed. You don't even have to own your own horse.

The long clean row of stalls by the arena smells of the horses' breakfast alfalfa. There is a low rumble of munching. Strooband’s favorite horse, a Canadian Warmblood named Oscar, finished his breakfast a little early. He was standing in his stall with a green blanket over his black coat, tall and arrogantly handsome. Oscar is also ridden by the E-team.

After breakfast the horses are let out. There are three acres of pasture, green against the white gate and the red barn. There they play, dance, and eat.

They are ignorant of their destiny. Do horses understand making it to nationals? 

At-a-glance: 
What: LBCC Equestrian Team
Officers: Jenny Strooband, advisor, Cole Newman team president
Where they meet: Horse Center
Contacts: Jenny Strooband, 541.917.4767
For tryouts: email jenny.strooband@linnbenton.edu