Team Orange For The Win!
Big Gymkhana closes an unusual year with familiar traditions.
Family members arrived on campus Saturday morning, tested for covid, then enjoyed lunch on Upper Field as many excitedly anticipated the first time they would see their students on horseback. In normal years, families get that first glimpse at Fall Family Weekend, but this year, Big Gymkhana was the first gathering of the larger Thacher community.
At Assembly the following week, Director of the Horse Program Trinity Seely CdeP 1999 summed up the year:
It is said, a picture is worth a thousand words. Where, then, do you place the value of a moment of time spent on horseback? The horses have afforded our riders a sense of freedom throughout a very restricted year, whether that has been loping across a freshly groomed Gymkhana field; or a liberating trail ride down to the reservoir with a group of friends; or solitude in the early mornings at the barn when everything is peaceful; or a quiet chat with your equine friend when everything is going wrong, or going right; or being the last rider to leave the barns when horses are quietly eating and the light and dust is settling, closing out another day. You have created these and many more moments that have become your treasure and keepsake.
As I’ve watched our riders over the course of the last nine months rise to the challenges of the times, I have had a glimpse of the genuine goodness, stewardship, loyalty, and friendship that has graced the barns this year. I am so deeply grateful for each and every horse and rider and so proud of the “moments” that have made up this year.
Congratulations ninth-grade and upper riders on a job well done.
The Results
The Orange Team won with 6,252 points
Paige ’24, riding for the Green Team, won the blue ribbon as the highest-scoring rider of Big Gymkhana. Javi ’23 was the only rider to successfully scoop up a silver dollar on the big day, the following five riders succeeded in the Kahle Arena on the following Thursday: Hudson ’23, Adam ’23, Elle ’23, Ajani ’23, Jack ’23
The Orange Team won with 6,252 points
Paige ’24, riding for the Green Team, won the blue ribbon as the highest-scoring rider of Big Gymkhana. Javi ’23 was the only rider to successfully scoop up a silver dollar on the big day, the following five riders succeeded in the Kahle Arena on the following Thursday: Hudson ’23, Adam ’23, Elle ’23, Ajani ’23, Jack ’23
First-place finishers for individual events:
- California Poles: Paige
- Cloverleaf Barrels: Chisom ’21(Orange Team Captain)
- Figure 8 Flag: Jared ’24 (Blue Team)
- Figure 8 Stake: Harry ’24 (Green Team)
- Hurry Scurry: Paige
- Keyhole: Paige
- Rescue Race: Jay ’24 and Harry (Green Team)
- Ribbon Race: Jack ’23 and Sophie ’22 (Orange Team)
- Sack Race: Elle ’23 (Blue Team Captain)
- Speedball: Paige
- Speed Barrels: Paige
- Washington Poles: Paige
Congratulations to all of the riders!
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Big Gymkhana 2021 Thank You
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.