Equestrian Drill Team anyone?

Question

Has anyone here been on a Drill Team? I used to be, but had to quit and I want to find a new team to either form or join. If you don't know of any teams just post your memories or experiences of Equestrian Drill. Thanks!

Answer 1

I was the advisor last year for our High School Equestrian Team...and have helped coach and do alot of behind the scenes work.

I love it when we get a beginner who is willing to get out of their comfort zone and try something new.  And it's an awesome feeling when everyone finally seems to 'click' and the movements mirror each other like they are supposed to....from opposite sides of the arena.  I love the look of a 12 man pinwheel that is straight and turning like it's a machine!

The down side...is parents that interfere with the coaches.  The coach is trying to teach something or help a rider improve...and the parent has 'their' way of doing it.  The poor kid gets caught between the two.  That's the main thing I dislike about it.  Because along with the interference comes the back biting about your coaching abilities...but no one parent will stand up and take the job.  They just want to coach from the stands and tell everyone who will listen...what 'they' would do.

Oops...sorry...ranted a little there...it bugs me.  I won't be helping next year because of this behavior.

But I love seeing a kid participate in something they never would have tried before.  Most of the kids have horses and just trailride on them.  When they join the team...they have an opportunity to try gaming, cattle work, dressage, jumping, showmanship, and trail classes.  There are more classes and they get to experience trying and seeing things they would normally never have an opportunity to.

Answer 2

try ur local 4h park there is 1 at mine but i am not in it

Answer 3

My daughters (two of three) were.  I remember hours of practice and helping with things like "wrong lead" and "pivot left hind" and "cue lead" and "dig in"  and  (with seat, to slow gait) and "hold...hold...hold... when my daughter was on the center of a whiplash, or "reach, reach, reach, ....when she was on the end of a whiplash.

Ours included carrying flags, so I remember that stuff too.  Long before they were born, I  had carried flags in parades, so I was the so-called "expert" in training everyone's horses to deal with that.I also dragged my friends who were ex- rodeo trick riders and an ex- rodeo clown into training these kids.  They were spectacular performers when we got through with them.We never took them to where they deserved to go with their talent...it is a regret of mine.

Answer 4

I"m on one...but we aren't very good.  I joined it for experience for one of my young horses.  It has become pretty frustrating, actually, because most of the women in it don't have any formal experience so their horses aren't capable of much but...it's something to do and I've made friends doing it.

There are 2 Yahoo groups you can join that have lots of info on drill teams.  One is called ghostriders, one is called cyberider.  I'm sure there are more but those are ones I like, lots of info.  Here are links, if you are interested...

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ghost...

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/cyber...

Answer 5

finally, someone whose eyes wont glaze over in confusion at the mention of a drill team! haha needless to say, i am on one. our 4-H club offers it, and this year we had more people than we ever had before. we dont have any try-outs, so to speak, because usually we have to take anyone we can get. but this year, we had 30 horses in it, and it was a DISASTER. i took my rescued Arab to use, and i was concerned at first with him being so green, but with the little kids on ponies flopping around, he looked like he had exemplary training in comparison. next year i think we will set up some kind of standards that need to be met, like if your horse cant back up, sidepass, work in all three gaits, and adjust speed easily, you shouldnt be on it. tough requirements, i know... not. but all in all, i think the drill team is really fun, and it gives alot of young horses good experience.