Fall Works: Riding Traditions, Awards, and Games

The Horse Department wraps up the season with a showcase to celebrate the riders.
In a year that has upended or postponed so many of the usual milestones of a Thacher year, the Horse Program borrowed a ranching tradition to provide our riders a fitting way of showcasing their hard work.

In a normal year, Fall Family Weekend would have afforded our riders a chance to show off new skills before a live audience of family and friends. Well, that didn’t happen, but instead, Horse Program Director Trinity Seely CdeP 1999 put together a first—and most likely only—”Fall Works“ showcase right before students recessed for Winter Break. 

“In the cowboy world, fall is one of the busiest times of the year,” explained Trinity. “Fall Works is the time when everyone on the ranch comes together to wrap up the season. There is a lot of hard work and teamwork involved with getting things done, and we also celebrate the love for the livestock and land which we are stewards of.” 

The event included a grand entry—a favorite Gymkhana tradition, presentation of awards, and horse games including an Egg on the Spoon Race and a Ride a $ Bill Challenge. The last person to keep the egg from falling off the spoon or the fake $ from slipping out from under their leg was the winner!

Ben ’24 particularly enjoyed racing against his friend and winning. And, his friend’s reaction? “He was a good sport about it,” said Ben. He chuckled about the dollar race, in which he was a bit less successful: “The dollar came out super early, and I was annoyed, but it was still fun.” 

After Fall Works, riders rode the horses to pasture for a much-needed Winter Break.
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