Big Gymkhana Family Weekend 2016
The BIG weekend finally arrived!
Family and friends flocked to campus last weekend to celebrate the culminating event of the riding program—Big Gymkhana. A mere six months after their October Family Weekend riding performance, the freshmen wowed spectators with their progress and prowess on horseback. Once timid new arrivals, these freshmen were now leaning off their saddles to scoop up the silver dollar, galloping down the ring-spearing run, and expertly weaving the poles.
Braving an impressive rain storm on Friday afternoon, riders kicked off the weekend with extreme cowboy race competitions, Trail Course, and a few gymkhana races. After a hot shower, students met up with their families and classmates for a delicious meal prepared by the Bon Appétit staff. From there, a walk through the silent auction and student art show—studio art, photography, wood design projects all on display—to the Milligan Center for the Performing Arts for a live auction and student performances by the Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Dance Ensemble, and Advanced Acting.
The 2016 Thacher’s Parents Auction, Green is Gold—The Capacity to Endure, celebrated the extraordinary sustainability efforts and initiatives of the Thacher community. With the help of the Environmental Action Committee, we worked towards a zero-waste event. With online invitations, electronic bidding, and decorations sourced from campus, it was an overwhelming success. The generosity at the Live Auction and Raise Your Paddle was indescribably heart-warming. A huge thank you to all of our parent volunteers—especially auction chairs Ella Brittingham (Poppy '17) and and Hilary Doubleday (Isabelle '17)—and the generous community that helped make this year’s auction a huge success! Over $600,000 was raised to help support the Annual Fund and financial aid.
On Saturday morning, bagpipers signaled the start of Big Gymkhana. After brief team meetings and rousing chants, the captains led their teams in a lap around the field and lined up for the national anthem—sung by Colin Troughton '16—and the running of the flags. Then it was off to the races! Events ranged from the more familiar pole bending and barrel races to daring events such as ring spearing and rescue race. One record was broken on the day by Sara Yin '19 and Jazz on the Washington Poles. The record previously stood at 23.17 and Sara shaved it down to a blistering 22.41.
The final event of the day was the Silver Dollar Pick-up. Membership in this elite Thacher club is earned only by successfully plucking a silver dollar off the ground at a lope. A chance for membership into this group was earned by eleven riders who qualified earlier in the season by picking up a tennis ball off the ground at a lope. Roman Bergeron '19, TJ Gwilliam '19, and Steven Jump '17 were successful on the big day earning their spot in this most prestigious Thacher club. Those unsuccessful on Big Gymkhana were given more opportunities in the following week. Orrian Arnold '19, Ursula Gately '19, Eli Graff '19, Klara Jacobs '19, Colin Kirkpatrick '19, Fiona McLaughlin '19, and Jesse VanNewkirk '19 were all successful in the days following the event and joined the ranks in the Silver Dollar Club.
Green Team—captained by Evan Jackson '17, Nick Johnson '16, and Doug Klink '16—upset Blue team, which led going into the weekend, for the season victory with 21,994 points. In a very close second was the Blue Team—captained by Peter Ammons '16, Karla Ceja '17, Colly Smith '16, and Robert Welch '16—finishing with 21,656 points. Finishing strong in third place with 16,551 points was the Orange Team—captained by Max Damon '17, Sophia Fung '17 Jahmari Josiah '16, and Steven Jump '17.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony during which Director of the Horse Department Cam Schryver announced the day's big awards; interspersed were more performances by the Dance Ensemble and Freshman Chorus. (See below for Top Ten Freshmen, Top Ten Overall, Top Ten of the Day, and Horsemanship awards.)
Despite an already long day, families dispersed to various homes in the Ojai Valley for class BBQs. Afterwards, 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 Judge Richard Welch III, father of Robert '16. There’s no place better for spiritual regrouping than this spot carved a century ago out of the hillside. Read Judge Welch's remarks here.
Top Ten Riders Overall
1. Nick Johnson [Captain] '16 on Lucky
2. Lindsey Greenhill '19 on High Style
3. Sarah Finch '18 on Sailor
4. Sara Yin '19 on Jazz
5. Karla Ceja [Captain] '17 on Suzie
6. Evan Jackson [Captain] '17 on Too Funn
7. Robert Welch [Captain] '16 on Goose
8. Anthony Nikitopoulos '17 on Miss Stalone
9. Steven Jump [Captain] '17 on Hotshot
10. George Lawrence '19 on Slash
Top Ten Riders on Big Gymkhana Day
1. Nick Johnson [Captain] '16 on Lucky
2. Karla Ceja [Captain] '17 on Suzie
3. Sara Yin '19 on Jazz
4. Lindsey Greenhill '19 on High Style
5. Sarah Finch '18 on Sailor
6. Fiona Bean '17 on Whizzard
7. Amber Brown '19 on Corkey
8. Steven Jump [Captain] '17 on Hotshot
9. Devon Roberts '19 on Sioux
10. Rose O'Neal '17 on Angel
Top Ten Freshmen
1. Lindsey Greenhill on Highstyle
2. Sara Yin on Jazz
3. George Lawrence on Slash
4. Devon Roberts on Sioux
5. Amber Brown on Corkey
6. TJ Gwilliam on Gabby
7. Jesse VanNewkirk on Chic
8. Maddy Moore on Fritz
9. Kyle Smith on Butch Powers
10. Alejandro Wilcox on Dozer
Horsemanship Awards
Defne Egbo '19
Libby Galgon '19
Ursula Gately '19
Max Golbère '19
Colin Kirkpatrick '19
Fiona McLaughlin '19
Evan Perry '19
Devon Roberts '19
Abby Romo '19
Ford Shaper '19
Grace Zhang '19
Horsemanship Bridles (presented to a sophomore or junior boy and girl)
Sarah Finch '18 on Sailor
Steven Jump [Captain] '17 on Hotshot
Back
Braving an impressive rain storm on Friday afternoon, riders kicked off the weekend with extreme cowboy race competitions, Trail Course, and a few gymkhana races. After a hot shower, students met up with their families and classmates for a delicious meal prepared by the Bon Appétit staff. From there, a walk through the silent auction and student art show—studio art, photography, wood design projects all on display—to the Milligan Center for the Performing Arts for a live auction and student performances by the Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Dance Ensemble, and Advanced Acting.
The 2016 Thacher’s Parents Auction, Green is Gold—The Capacity to Endure, celebrated the extraordinary sustainability efforts and initiatives of the Thacher community. With the help of the Environmental Action Committee, we worked towards a zero-waste event. With online invitations, electronic bidding, and decorations sourced from campus, it was an overwhelming success. The generosity at the Live Auction and Raise Your Paddle was indescribably heart-warming. A huge thank you to all of our parent volunteers—especially auction chairs Ella Brittingham (Poppy '17) and and Hilary Doubleday (Isabelle '17)—and the generous community that helped make this year’s auction a huge success! Over $600,000 was raised to help support the Annual Fund and financial aid.
On Saturday morning, bagpipers signaled the start of Big Gymkhana. After brief team meetings and rousing chants, the captains led their teams in a lap around the field and lined up for the national anthem—sung by Colin Troughton '16—and the running of the flags. Then it was off to the races! Events ranged from the more familiar pole bending and barrel races to daring events such as ring spearing and rescue race. One record was broken on the day by Sara Yin '19 and Jazz on the Washington Poles. The record previously stood at 23.17 and Sara shaved it down to a blistering 22.41.
The final event of the day was the Silver Dollar Pick-up. Membership in this elite Thacher club is earned only by successfully plucking a silver dollar off the ground at a lope. A chance for membership into this group was earned by eleven riders who qualified earlier in the season by picking up a tennis ball off the ground at a lope. Roman Bergeron '19, TJ Gwilliam '19, and Steven Jump '17 were successful on the big day earning their spot in this most prestigious Thacher club. Those unsuccessful on Big Gymkhana were given more opportunities in the following week. Orrian Arnold '19, Ursula Gately '19, Eli Graff '19, Klara Jacobs '19, Colin Kirkpatrick '19, Fiona McLaughlin '19, and Jesse VanNewkirk '19 were all successful in the days following the event and joined the ranks in the Silver Dollar Club.
Green Team—captained by Evan Jackson '17, Nick Johnson '16, and Doug Klink '16—upset Blue team, which led going into the weekend, for the season victory with 21,994 points. In a very close second was the Blue Team—captained by Peter Ammons '16, Karla Ceja '17, Colly Smith '16, and Robert Welch '16—finishing with 21,656 points. Finishing strong in third place with 16,551 points was the Orange Team—captained by Max Damon '17, Sophia Fung '17 Jahmari Josiah '16, and Steven Jump '17.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony during which Director of the Horse Department Cam Schryver announced the day's big awards; interspersed were more performances by the Dance Ensemble and Freshman Chorus. (See below for Top Ten Freshmen, Top Ten Overall, Top Ten of the Day, and Horsemanship awards.)
Despite an already long day, families dispersed to various homes in the Ojai Valley for class BBQs. Afterwards, 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 Judge Richard Welch III, father of Robert '16. There’s no place better for spiritual regrouping than this spot carved a century ago out of the hillside. Read Judge Welch's remarks here.
Top Ten Riders Overall
1. Nick Johnson [Captain] '16 on Lucky
2. Lindsey Greenhill '19 on High Style
3. Sarah Finch '18 on Sailor
4. Sara Yin '19 on Jazz
5. Karla Ceja [Captain] '17 on Suzie
6. Evan Jackson [Captain] '17 on Too Funn
7. Robert Welch [Captain] '16 on Goose
8. Anthony Nikitopoulos '17 on Miss Stalone
9. Steven Jump [Captain] '17 on Hotshot
10. George Lawrence '19 on Slash
Top Ten Riders on Big Gymkhana Day
1. Nick Johnson [Captain] '16 on Lucky
2. Karla Ceja [Captain] '17 on Suzie
3. Sara Yin '19 on Jazz
4. Lindsey Greenhill '19 on High Style
5. Sarah Finch '18 on Sailor
6. Fiona Bean '17 on Whizzard
7. Amber Brown '19 on Corkey
8. Steven Jump [Captain] '17 on Hotshot
9. Devon Roberts '19 on Sioux
10. Rose O'Neal '17 on Angel
Top Ten Freshmen
1. Lindsey Greenhill on Highstyle
2. Sara Yin on Jazz
3. George Lawrence on Slash
4. Devon Roberts on Sioux
5. Amber Brown on Corkey
6. TJ Gwilliam on Gabby
7. Jesse VanNewkirk on Chic
8. Maddy Moore on Fritz
9. Kyle Smith on Butch Powers
10. Alejandro Wilcox on Dozer
Horsemanship Awards
Defne Egbo '19
Libby Galgon '19
Ursula Gately '19
Max Golbère '19
Colin Kirkpatrick '19
Fiona McLaughlin '19
Evan Perry '19
Devon Roberts '19
Abby Romo '19
Ford Shaper '19
Grace Zhang '19
Horsemanship Bridles (presented to a sophomore or junior boy and girl)
Sarah Finch '18 on Sailor
Steven Jump [Captain] '17 on Hotshot
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