On Friday, Nov. 8, Camas High School (CHS) had their first playoff game of the season at Doc Harris Stadium. Three CHS students rode on horseback across the field to introduce the national anthem. The idea to kick off the game this way was suggested by CHS administrator Stephen Baranowski, and it was inspired by an experience at another game.
“Well we took a trip up to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho earlier this season and for their opening, they had someone go up on horseback with the flag, and me and Coach Mathieson looked at each other like, ‘We have to do that!’” Baranowski said.
Inspired, Baranowski consulted CHS Senior and equestrian Juliana Corbett. He asked her if she would like to do this at Camas’ own game, and she was more than willing. She rounded up two other girls and made it happen after getting permission from her coach. The three of them reported having a positive and unique experience on the field at the game.
“I was excited but also scared cause it was something new that I’ve never done before, and it was super exciting,” Equestrian and CHS Freshman Aubrie Wheeler, said.
Corbett and Wheeler, as well as Senior Svea Hart, all attend CHS, but are members of Battleground High School’s equestrian team. Camas doesn’t have its own team, so the girls joined Battleground’s team since it was nearby. Battleground’s team has a notable diversity of schools.
“Us three are the only ones on the Battleground team that are from Camas but we have about 10 to 15 other girls that aren’t from Camas,” Corbett said. “Some are at Battleground High School, others are at Hockinson, some are from
Washougal, so it’s really a variety of us.”
While Battleground tends to be one of Camas’ usual competitors in other sports, rivalry within the equestrian team appears to remain at a minimum.
“Honestly everybody is really welcoming, everybody is super nice,” Hart said.
On top of that, this event was an opportunity for CHS’ equestrians to use their interests to give back to the community. The game took place the Friday before Veterans’ Day and it had a camouflage dress-up theme to honor veterans. The equestrian feature, especially since it was introducing the flag, was another way of honoring the veterans in the audience.
“I thought it was a cool way to draw attention to the fact that we want to honor our country and our veterans,” Baranowski said.
Overall, Battleground’s equestrian team has given the girls a space to do what they love with others who share a common interest.
