Juniors Rya Greene and Lily Atkinson lead the Equestrian team out the school doors and through the tunnel of students, hopefully towards a state championship. This is Greene and Atkinson’s second time competing at the high school Equestrian state tournament. With the team’s talent and experience, they are hopeful to come out on top again this Saturday.

“We have a really versatile team,” Greene said. “If someone gets hurt we can easily fill the slots and make up the points.”  

The Bucs have been treating this week of practice just like any other. But the team has added something more to give them an edge. All the girls have been going to different lesson instructors getting specialized training in their events. This has allowed the team to go into the weekend with confidence, with Greene and Atkinson leading the way as the team’s veterans.

“Lily Atkinson and Rya Greene will be key because they have been doing it the longest,” sophomore Cassidy Ryder said. “They have the most experience.”

The team will face off against the top ten equestrian schools in the state.  But Greene believes that Zeeland West is going to be their biggest competition.

“We need to get enough points and try to stay far enough ahead,” Greene said “So it just doesn’t come down to one event. This is a big part of our strategy to take home first.”

The Buccaneers nerves will play a large factor in the outcome of each competition. After a sixth place finish last year the team is feeling the pressure to bring home a first place, but they will have to stay calm so their horses use the positive energy to compete the best they can.

“I will take a break for a little bit if I get really nervous,” Greene said. “I like to sit in a chair and relax before an event.”  

The equestrian team will be competing this weekend at the state finals in Midland.