This is Drill:
You feel the pounding of hooves, and the rush of air as your speed increases.
Its like your horse just broke from the gate at a track. Then you slow him down
to an easy lope, and continue on as if nothing happened. All the while in this
moment music is being blasted over the speakers and there are several other horses
moving around you, all in sync. This is drill.
It's teamwork, horsemanship, a sport, and an art, in a way. You have to work together
to practice and to even ride in a line. There is a ton of horsemanship involved too.
It's a sport because of the phsical work it takes to ride, the competitions, and well,
it's not the easiest thing. It's an art because of how your ride in costumes to music,
you perform, and when it's done right, it flows so gracefully, from one maneuver to the
next, each horse syncronized to the others.
There's work involved too. You have to practice alot. Which means having your horse,
both to practices and to competitions. You have to get everything organized, and fundraise
quite a bit, which can be difficult.
In the end though, we have fun. We have an amazing coach, and some pretty awesome
parents helping out. Sure, there are days where we may all hate each other, but we're
still friends, we've come to far to not be. Win or lose, we're gonna continue and we'll
enjoy it. We have our goal to work to. It may seem like work, but in the end it's fun.
You learn things, make friends, and ride horses.
--Amber S. March 2011
Drill Team Poem:
I am a proud rider of the great Texas Stars
where the competition is big, fierce, and hard.
Wherever we go, our name is known
we hold our heads up high and our pride is shown.
Throughout the years we've all remained strong
from life's ups and downs and from spring to fall.
We have had all sorts of sicknesses and injuries to be told
from the swine flu to kidney stones
and not be mention plenty of broken bones.
But everything that's happened has brought us closer together
from all the tears we've cried, to the memories of each other.
It has brought us all close, closer than anyone thought
for now friends are like family, and others maybe not...
But the friendships and memories that we make here
will be with us for life, and be memories that we hold dear.
So this is why I ride with this great team
with the people that I love, all chasing the same dream.
--Mason V., Sept 2009
The Rising Stars, we're an awesome team,
thanks to our coaches, Jake and Shann.
Shann's my mom and Jake thinks he' superman.
One team, one dream, that's the Rising Stars cheer,
We all ride blessed because the spirit of God is here.
We each have a really great steed, of course,
Tatlia's my favorite because she's my pretty horse.
Because I have lots of really great friends,
I'm always sad when practice ends.
Through rain and cold and even the extremely hot sun,
you can be sure to hear the hoo-hahs coming from that small arena in Lexington.
Hoo-Ha!
--Shylee T., Feb 2009
Everyday we pray for grace,
Riding drill puts a smile on my face.
Shadow is my horse, He is not bad,
When I ride him it makes me glad.
I love him so,
I don't have to ask him twice to go
--Ariston T., Feb 2009
I have a horse
His name is Willy
The "Red Headed Stranger" a famous hillbilly
He may be short
He may be old
But he's the one for me I'm told
Rising Stars
The name of our team
Riding together we share the same dream
We ride when it's hot
We ride when it's cold
As long as I'm riding Willy it never gets old
--Kasey G., Feb 2009
Drill Team is so fun
Horses going fast that run
We have a coach, his name is Jake
He thinks he's superman, but it's fake
There's Shann, she's awesome
All together we have a blast
As we run our drill so fast
Drill Team is so fun.
-- Amber S., Feb 2009
My Drill Team
The Lexington arena is where we ride,
We trot and lope with Texas pride.
Upon my horse, who I call Chevy,
I blow my whistle and call out "READY".
With our big smiles we impress the judges,
through state and district, we hold no grudges.
Our drill master Jake makes no mistake,
when coaching us from the bleachers.
Our drill master Shann lends a helping hand
when we have trouble with our spacing.
In the end we're all friends, riding and
laughing together.
--Rachel W., Feb 2009
Drill Team Sonnet
What do you do for fun?
My favorite thing is to ride a horse.
With a horse, you can run and run
Many horses make a drill team of course.
Have you seen a horse drill team?
It is amazing to see.
Our motto is “One Team, One Dream”
Drill teaches us to be all we can be.
Drill teaches us to walk, lope, and trot,
At night most of the riders are chilly
One of the coaches things he’s Superman (he’s not).
One of the horses’ names is Willy!
So what do you do for fun?
Do you have a horse that can run?
--Shayna J., Feb 2009
What Drill Means To Me
This is Zach, aka ‘Slippery.’ I just completed my 4th year in Drill. I was on the Rising Stars for 2 years and Texas Stars for the last 2 years. When I think of what Drill means to me I think of an ‘adrenaline RUSH.’ There’s nothing better to come out of the alley way into to a big arena with the music blaring to compete. It makes all the many practices and commitments totally worth it! Drill team is also about making friends, building teamwork, and becoming a better rider. Since joining Drill I’ve made many friends, gained leadership skills, and can say I’ve become a pretty good rider (not that I’m bragging but I don’t fall off as much!). I think it’s awesome that the support and interest in the Drill Team has increased and that others want to experience the rush. Special thanks to Six, Mr. Wayne, Mr. Reat, Becky & Patrick, Garry & Angie, Mrs. April, Mr. Armstrong, Grady Ray, Mom & Dad + everyone else that’s supported me and our club!
Zach R., 4th year rider, August 2008
What Drill Team Means to Me
My name is Kayla G. I am 16 years old. I'm on the Rising Stars Drill Team. I'm a 1st year rider. My horse is Hunter's Chestnut. He is 10 years old and 16 hands tall. I have the best team to work with and have gained friendship. Thank you all. I have been having a blast getting to know each and every one. I love the leaders, coaches and team mates and all the talented horses. We have been working so hard and good together. I gain trust in my horse and faith in my team. Even though it was not easy, we worked it out and became one. We grew into a team that has 16 riders, but only one dream to work hard and that dream is to be the Best we can be. Our hard work and dedication is to knock the socks off of those judges at state because of our wonderful coaches. Jake, Shann, & Jack - they taught us to give the victory to God no matter if we win or loose. That's just what we plan to do. It's been fun in Drill Team and how I got involved was the coolest thing because I always loved horses and not knowing how incredible it was to find such loving people here and how good they rode their horses. When I was just a little girl, I rode my friend's horse not knowing that there was more to just riding and hanging on. There was hard work in it. So I tried out on a paint horse. This was not his thing so we bought Hunter. He is the big horse with 2 white socks on the back hoof and with 4 brands: an 8, a star, 27 and an "S" by his tail. When you find it you will probably laugh. He is a great horse. I'm so blessed to share an opportunity like this with him. Hunter and I are one when we are together. We make it happen. Why I like to perform with him is because when its time to head out of the alleyway, the crowd goes silent and I get the chills and all. I hear the horses galloping and the music playing with my horse breathing hard. Smiling with joy, telling the crowd I'm loving it and I am honored to say I'm on the Lee County Rising Stars Drill Team. Hoo Ha!
Kayla G., 16 years old, 1st year rider, 6/10/08
Kasey's Drill Team Story
My name is Kasey G. I’m on the Lee County Rising Stars Drill Team. Our motto is one team, one dream! This is my first year riding drill team and my first year to even ride a horse. I love my coaches and leaders, our coaches are Jake, Shann, and Jack. My leaders are Shayna, Megan, Kristen, Brooke and Amber. I can’t forget my horse, his name is Willy “The Red Headed Stranger” or you can call him the “Old Man” he is 21 years old and I would do anything for him. I love drill team and want to stay in drill team for a long time. Drill team has taught me what it takes to be a team player and be able to work together with a group to accomplish one goal, and that is to be the best we can be with God's help!
Kasey G., Age 10, 1st year Rider, 6/2/08
What Drill Team Means to Me
I always look forward to going to practice, rodeos, performances, parades and competitions. When I think I am going to be a part of something as organized and choreographed, it makes me very happy. I love to make people laugh and smile and being in drill not only helps me do that, but I can also bond with my horse and improve my riding and maybe help others improve. I think drill team will help me with life skills such as social skills and learning to work as a team and communicate. I'm glad I can have a chance to ride and have fun. To me drill team is very important and very fun. I'll admit I don't always enjoy the trotting, but I'll get over it. And that is what drill team means to me.
Rachael W., Age 12, 1st year Rider, 5/14/08
Drill Team
As a second year rider, I know that drill team can be hard, but it is fun. For one thing, I've make a lot of new friends on drill team. We're all friends, we are sort of like a family. It is fun to go to performances and competitions with everyone. It wouldn't be so fun without them. When we go to competitions we get to dress up, that is also fun, although it can be hot, we still like it. We also get many horse opportunities when we go to district and state. It is always an option to compete in things other than drill team. Drill team is a good Christian influence too. It is always fun to be able to ride your horse once a week at practice and care of your horse and bonding with them. Over all drill team is great: between riding your horse, making new friends, going to competitions and performances; dressing up; and having fun. Drill team is AWESOME!
Amber S., Age 10, 2nd year Rider, 05/12/08
Leadership: 4-H Mounted Drill
I would like to describe my leadership experience in
4-H mounted drill. If you hear drill team, you might think of baton twirling
and dancing. That’s not this kind of drill team. This kind of drill team is
4-H horse riding. It is fast action, hard work, and lots of practice. Since
I started drill three years ago, I have been riding in a leader position. I
took over the spot at the age of 9 when our leader, Autumn H, broke her leg.
Autumn was 13 at the time and so it was hard for a nine year old to fill her
position. I have been in a leader spot every since.
We practice one to three times a week. I have met many
new riders, and in so doing, learned a lot about different people that I
didn’t know before. I have learned communication, teamwork and consideration
of others. With people and horses you have to give and take. This applies to
my three year old horse. Finding a three year old horse in 4-H drill is very
rare. Drill team puts a lot of pressure on a horse, and so an older horse is
better. My dad and I train horses, and so I have a lot confidence in my
young horse. I know when he needs a break from the pressure. He needs good
leadership and cooperation just like my team does.
The drill team is well known in our community. Our community of Lexington,
Texas supports us very well. I realize that when I am in the community, like at
the grocery store, people see me and know that I am on the team. I have to
be a leader all the time, whether I am riding or not. Our coaches teach
character and integrity for all riders. We take these lessons and use them
in school, home, and our community activities.
- Shayna J., 3rd year member, April 2008
The Best Drill Team in the World
My name is Shylee T., I'm 9-1/2 years old, and I ride on the "Rising
Stars" drill team, the best drill team in the world. This team is made
up of 19 riders and 13 of us, including me, are new this year. This
opportunity has helped me to grow in so many ways and it all began with my
love for horses.
I started riding when I was 8-1/2 years old, but I have been around horses
since I was born. When I was little my mom used to put me on the
horses backs while they were riding. She said I used to cry when I had
to get off. I believe it. I still feel like I'm going to cry
when I have to get off! Then, a year ago, I got to start riding a
friend's 27 year old Tennesee Walker. In June of 2007, the friend
moved and gave me her two older horses. One of them, a 25 year old bay
quarter horse, Shadow, made it possible for me to be on the drill team.
The drill team has helped me feel less shy. It has helped me to make
friends. Drill team has helped to to communicate and work in unison
with other. I have learned that not every person and not every horse
has the same personality. Drill team has taught me not only to become
one with my horse, but also with the team. Another reason drill team
is so special to me is because my horse enjoys it as much as I do. The
drill team is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
- Shylee T., 1st year member, 9 years old written March, 2008
Throughout life, every individual strives to find
happiness. During the duration of time I've participated in Drill
Team, I've learned that all of us have found this happiness in our riding.
Despite our differences, every rider finds equality among
each other to ride as a team through maneuvers that sometimes cause our
parents to turn their head. However, its in these maneuvers that bring
smiles to our faces as our adrenaline rush rises to it's peak. Whether
it be a competition against other teams, a performance at a rodeo, or just
simply a long practice at all hours of the night, we live for these moments.