Henry: The Colors of Gymkhana

Spring is a season of tradition and colors. While others pick up their lacrosse sticks, tennis racquets and baseball gloves, some climb on their horses with colored bandannas strapped tightly on their arms. It is the season when blue, orange, and green clash in the arenas to decide the best group of riders and horses. Almost everyone on campus is affiliated with one of the three Gymkhana teams and they do have quite a significant amount of pride in their teams.

Although I am a free agent in this sport, I can still feel the excitement and spirit that permeates campus during this time of year. Gymkhana represents many aspects of life at Thacher: competition, challenge, and companionship. Of course, horsemanship is included, too. I never got to experience Gymkhana (I completed my riding requirement during the fall of my first year as a sophomore), it definitely provides a strong sense of tradition. Gymkhana is beyond a simple sporting event here; it is part of the Thacher identity.