Big Gymkhana Family Weekend 2013
A jam-packed weekend of riding, performances, auctions, and more.
"Look how far they've come!"
Without a doubt, there were many impressed parents that couldn't help but share these sentiments as they watched their children gallop through poles, leap over jumps, and lean off their saddles for the silver dollar. It's hard to believe that a mere nine months can produce such capable riders. Their diligence and hard work over the course of this year clearly paid off, leaving many excited and very proud.
The weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon with Extreme Cowboy Race and trail course competitions, an English riding demonstration, and a baseball game. Following the events, a fabulous dinner was staged on the tennis courts where students and their families sat according to their class year. After filling their stomachs, folks meandered through the Commons and the Thacher Room where student artwork (photography, acrylics, charcoal, digital painting, ceramics, and woodwork) was up on display.
Friday night culminated in the Milligan Center where there were student performances by the Jazz Band and Thacher Dancers, and the Parent Live Auction and Raise-Your-Paddle events. The Parents' Auction was again chaired by Joe Tobin (Taylor ’13, Joe CdeP 2009). This year, Joe was supported by Auction Vice-Chair Susan Toland LeFevre (Annie '14 and Charlie CdeP 2012), and by the Development Office’s Diane Murphy (Rae CdeP 2011). In addition, Theresa Vyhnal, library staff and wife of Chris Vyhnal Science Department Chair, and local parents also put in many long hours preparing for the auction and decorating the courts for the class dinner earlier Friday evening. The event was emceed by Jonathan Tucker CdeP 2001; he and the auctioneer and his spotters, decked out in western attire, created an authentic live auction experience. With almost 200 items in the silent and live auctions, there was something for everyone! The Development Office also created a video for this event that can be viewed here. Thanks to a crowd that was eager to support this one-of-a-kind school and community, Friday night's fundraising raised over $700,000.
After the auction, families and students alike met up on the Pergola for an inter-generational boogie to the jams of DJ Splyce.
Saturday's events kicked off an hour earlier than usual with the Grand Entry of the gymkhana teams at 9:00 on the gymkhana field. The captains led their respective teams in front of the stands for all to admire and applaud. The national anthem was sung by our very own barbershop quartet of Paul Cresanta '13, Jon Chang '14, Briggs Boss '15, and Colin Troughton '16 in conjunction with the running of the flags by Daniel Kruth '13 and Josh Cho '13. Races started soon after and were run by timers and riders with expert efficiency. There were seventeen races on the day that kept spectators and riders busy throughout.
The Green Team, captained by Daniel Kruth '13, Lachlan Nutting '14, and Teo Davis '14, were unstoppable the entire season pulling out the victory for the second year in a row earning a total of 20,320 on the season. The Blue Team, led by Josh Cho '13, Frank Hernandez '13, and Jamie Rush '14, was in a close second the whole season and finished just shy of the Green Team with a total of 17,773 points. The season started a little slow for the Orange Team, captained by Maeve Briggs '13, Annie Beckham '14, and Lane Sohn '14, but they put in the hard work and finished strong with a total of 12,125 points. (See below for Top Ten Freshmen, Top Ten Overall, Top Ten of the Day, and Horsemanship awards.) One record was broken on the day: Elliot Schiff '16 on Nadia broke the Speed Ball record with a time of 7.81 seconds.
The final event of the day was the Silver Dollar Pick-up. Membership to this elite Thacher club is earned only by successfully picking up a silver dollar off the ground at a lope. A chance for membership into this group was earned by nine riders who qualified earlier in the season by picking up a tennis ball off the ground at a lope. On the big day four were successful in their attempts and have earned their spot in this prestigious group: Colly Smith '16, Peter Ammons '16, Nick Johnson '16, and Peter Callan '16. Sam Butler '16 also joined the ranks by picking up the silver dollar the following week.
The Gymkhana Awards presentation started an hour earlier as well so that families could enjoy a dinner off campus. Head of the Horse Department Cam Schryver announced the day's big awards; interspersed were more performances by the Dance Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Freshman Chorus, and String Ensemble. The ceremony culminated in a standing ovation for the Horse Department faculty and staff, whose hard work all year brought along this group of riders.
Despite an already long day, many people turned out for the Mulligans' Open House on Saturday night. Parents there experienced a typical Thacher Saturday night of warm cookies, quesadillas, games, coloring, movies, and good conversation.
To cap off the weekend, folks gathered the next morning in the Outdoor Chapel to hear remarks from Nancy Farese, mother of Gracie '13, Evan '13, Lee CdeP 2009, and Conor CdeP 2006. There’s no place better for spiritual regrouping than this spot carved a century ago out of the hillside. Here, parents and kids were in a picturesque spot to prepare for a farewell-til-summer break.
Top Ten Riders for the Season
1. Daniel Kruth [Captain] on Brandy
2. Lachlan Nutting [Captain] on Grease Spot
3. Alex Morris on Delightful
4. Jamie Rush [Captain] on Romeo
5. Serena Warren on Corkey
6. Alessandro Lorenzoni on Weaver
7. Josh Cho [Captain] on Slash
8. Nick Johnson on Lacy
9. Ellie Gifford on Podoco
10. Elliot Schiff on Nadia
Top Ten Riders for Big Gymkhana Day
1. Daniel Kruth [Captain] on Brandy
2. Serena Warren on Corkey
3. Alex Morris on Delightful
4. Lachlan Nutting [Captain] on Grease Spot
5. Elliot Schiff on Nadia
6. Alessandro Lorenzoni on Weaver
7. Nick Johnson on Lacy
8. Jamie Rush [Captain] on Romeo
9. Ellie Gifford on Podoco
10. Sam Butler on Toby
Top Ten Freshmen
1. Serena Warren on Corkey
2. Alessandro Lorenzoni on Weaver
3. Nick Johnson on Lacy
4. Ellie Gifford on Podoco
5. Elliot Schiff on Nadia
6. Emma Herzig on Cool
7. Sam Butler on Toby
8. Griffin Sohn on Carson
9. Peter Ammons on Pinky-Vaughn
10. Gus Gamble on Happy
Horsemanship Awards
Peter Ammons '16 on Pinky-Vaughn
Alessandro Lorenzoni '16 on Weaver
Kathryn Lynch '16 on Owen
Meagan Rodriguez '15 on Butch
Megan Cooke '15 on Zans
Horsemanship Bridles (presented to sophomore or junior boy and girl)
Jamie Rush '14 on Romeo
Sydney Wilder '15 on Bee
Back
Without a doubt, there were many impressed parents that couldn't help but share these sentiments as they watched their children gallop through poles, leap over jumps, and lean off their saddles for the silver dollar. It's hard to believe that a mere nine months can produce such capable riders. Their diligence and hard work over the course of this year clearly paid off, leaving many excited and very proud.
The weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon with Extreme Cowboy Race and trail course competitions, an English riding demonstration, and a baseball game. Following the events, a fabulous dinner was staged on the tennis courts where students and their families sat according to their class year. After filling their stomachs, folks meandered through the Commons and the Thacher Room where student artwork (photography, acrylics, charcoal, digital painting, ceramics, and woodwork) was up on display.
Friday night culminated in the Milligan Center where there were student performances by the Jazz Band and Thacher Dancers, and the Parent Live Auction and Raise-Your-Paddle events. The Parents' Auction was again chaired by Joe Tobin (Taylor ’13, Joe CdeP 2009). This year, Joe was supported by Auction Vice-Chair Susan Toland LeFevre (Annie '14 and Charlie CdeP 2012), and by the Development Office’s Diane Murphy (Rae CdeP 2011). In addition, Theresa Vyhnal, library staff and wife of Chris Vyhnal Science Department Chair, and local parents also put in many long hours preparing for the auction and decorating the courts for the class dinner earlier Friday evening. The event was emceed by Jonathan Tucker CdeP 2001; he and the auctioneer and his spotters, decked out in western attire, created an authentic live auction experience. With almost 200 items in the silent and live auctions, there was something for everyone! The Development Office also created a video for this event that can be viewed here. Thanks to a crowd that was eager to support this one-of-a-kind school and community, Friday night's fundraising raised over $700,000.
After the auction, families and students alike met up on the Pergola for an inter-generational boogie to the jams of DJ Splyce.
Saturday's events kicked off an hour earlier than usual with the Grand Entry of the gymkhana teams at 9:00 on the gymkhana field. The captains led their respective teams in front of the stands for all to admire and applaud. The national anthem was sung by our very own barbershop quartet of Paul Cresanta '13, Jon Chang '14, Briggs Boss '15, and Colin Troughton '16 in conjunction with the running of the flags by Daniel Kruth '13 and Josh Cho '13. Races started soon after and were run by timers and riders with expert efficiency. There were seventeen races on the day that kept spectators and riders busy throughout.
The Green Team, captained by Daniel Kruth '13, Lachlan Nutting '14, and Teo Davis '14, were unstoppable the entire season pulling out the victory for the second year in a row earning a total of 20,320 on the season. The Blue Team, led by Josh Cho '13, Frank Hernandez '13, and Jamie Rush '14, was in a close second the whole season and finished just shy of the Green Team with a total of 17,773 points. The season started a little slow for the Orange Team, captained by Maeve Briggs '13, Annie Beckham '14, and Lane Sohn '14, but they put in the hard work and finished strong with a total of 12,125 points. (See below for Top Ten Freshmen, Top Ten Overall, Top Ten of the Day, and Horsemanship awards.) One record was broken on the day: Elliot Schiff '16 on Nadia broke the Speed Ball record with a time of 7.81 seconds.
The final event of the day was the Silver Dollar Pick-up. Membership to this elite Thacher club is earned only by successfully picking up a silver dollar off the ground at a lope. A chance for membership into this group was earned by nine riders who qualified earlier in the season by picking up a tennis ball off the ground at a lope. On the big day four were successful in their attempts and have earned their spot in this prestigious group: Colly Smith '16, Peter Ammons '16, Nick Johnson '16, and Peter Callan '16. Sam Butler '16 also joined the ranks by picking up the silver dollar the following week.
The Gymkhana Awards presentation started an hour earlier as well so that families could enjoy a dinner off campus. Head of the Horse Department Cam Schryver announced the day's big awards; interspersed were more performances by the Dance Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Freshman Chorus, and String Ensemble. The ceremony culminated in a standing ovation for the Horse Department faculty and staff, whose hard work all year brought along this group of riders.
Despite an already long day, many people turned out for the Mulligans' Open House on Saturday night. Parents there experienced a typical Thacher Saturday night of warm cookies, quesadillas, games, coloring, movies, and good conversation.
To cap off the weekend, folks gathered the next morning in the Outdoor Chapel to hear remarks from Nancy Farese, mother of Gracie '13, Evan '13, Lee CdeP 2009, and Conor CdeP 2006. There’s no place better for spiritual regrouping than this spot carved a century ago out of the hillside. Here, parents and kids were in a picturesque spot to prepare for a farewell-til-summer break.
Top Ten Riders for the Season
1. Daniel Kruth [Captain] on Brandy
2. Lachlan Nutting [Captain] on Grease Spot
3. Alex Morris on Delightful
4. Jamie Rush [Captain] on Romeo
5. Serena Warren on Corkey
6. Alessandro Lorenzoni on Weaver
7. Josh Cho [Captain] on Slash
8. Nick Johnson on Lacy
9. Ellie Gifford on Podoco
10. Elliot Schiff on Nadia
Top Ten Riders for Big Gymkhana Day
1. Daniel Kruth [Captain] on Brandy
2. Serena Warren on Corkey
3. Alex Morris on Delightful
4. Lachlan Nutting [Captain] on Grease Spot
5. Elliot Schiff on Nadia
6. Alessandro Lorenzoni on Weaver
7. Nick Johnson on Lacy
8. Jamie Rush [Captain] on Romeo
9. Ellie Gifford on Podoco
10. Sam Butler on Toby
Top Ten Freshmen
1. Serena Warren on Corkey
2. Alessandro Lorenzoni on Weaver
3. Nick Johnson on Lacy
4. Ellie Gifford on Podoco
5. Elliot Schiff on Nadia
6. Emma Herzig on Cool
7. Sam Butler on Toby
8. Griffin Sohn on Carson
9. Peter Ammons on Pinky-Vaughn
10. Gus Gamble on Happy
Horsemanship Awards
Peter Ammons '16 on Pinky-Vaughn
Alessandro Lorenzoni '16 on Weaver
Kathryn Lynch '16 on Owen
Meagan Rodriguez '15 on Butch
Megan Cooke '15 on Zans
Horsemanship Bridles (presented to sophomore or junior boy and girl)
Jamie Rush '14 on Romeo
Sydney Wilder '15 on Bee
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