Dexter Equestrian Girls Start Off Season Strong

The equestrian teams opened their season strongly this week.

The DHS "A" team competed against Ann Arbor Skyline and Milan high schools and scored 244 points to take first at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on Sunday. Dexter's "C" team placed seventh.

"This was a close matchup with Ann Arbor Skyline. Dexter High School equestrian A and C teams are forces to be reckoned with this year," coach Shannon Verbal said. "We have strong riders, strong horses and, most of all, strong parents. Our coaching staff is in great appreciation of all of these things, for without this magical blend we would not have such a team of depth and sportsmanshiplike behavior."

Several DHS athletes placed in western showmanship categories at the meet, including Stephanie Vontom (fourth place), Kimber Creteau (fifth place), Olivia Shay (sixth place) and Allison Rochowiak (ninth place.)

In saddle seat showmanship, Shay shone again in second place, Jaimie Verbal placed fourth and Rochowiak placed fifth for the Dreadnaughts. In hunt seat showmanship, Stephanie Vontom stepped up to the plate
and won second place. Shay also won second place, followed by Verbal in fourth, Rochowiak in fifth and Creteau in sixth.

"We had a strong showing in saddle seat, with Jaimie winning both the
equitation under saddle and the bareback. Kait Ekhoff also placed nicely in saddle seat along with Renee Pineau, coming in fourth and sixth, respectively," Verbal said.

The team will travel back to the Wayne County Fairgrounds for another meet at 8 a.m. Sunday.