Blanco’s Phoenix Riders Equestrian Drill Team picked up some national recognition recently.
The team took fifth place in the novice/youth division of the Gem State Virtual National Themed Drill competition. There were 25 teams from across the nation who competed.
They recorded their performance Aug. 9 at Yett Arena and uploaded the videos Aug. 11. Results were given on Aug. 26.
“We were only 73 points from the first-place score. The scores were close,” said Debbie Schramm, team captain.
The drill team uploaded the video of their costume parade, which showcased the decorations on the horses, of the riders and at the arena, and then uploaded a video of the actual competition. The drill team’s theme for the performance was “Indians of the Wild West.” They played “Indian Reservation” by Paul Revere & the Raiders during the costume parade, then performed to “Indian Outlaw” by Tim McGraw. Both performances can be seen on YouTube.
“Fourteen riders from the age of 10 years old and up put this together in less than a month,” Schramm said.
Hours of work went into the preparation. Horses were painted with Indian war symbols for good luck in battle. Saddles were covered with Indian blankets to give the appearance of bareback riding, and feathers and braids were included in manes and tails. Riders were in Indian feather shirts with painted faces for battle, and the team members wore their hair braided with hairpieces of feathers and leather, with feathers hanging from their ears. The arena also included lighted campfires and an original, vintage covered wagon backdrop at the far end to give the illusion of the wagon under attack.
This was the team’s first-ever competition.
“The kids were excited to be a part of it, as a few of us ‘moms’ on the team that ride with our kids are on other pro drill teams,” Schramm said. “…The virtual competitions gave a lot of teams the chance to compete that could have not done it otherwise due to travel constraints.”
The team was formed just over two years ago, in August 2018. After Schramm asked for volunteers, she got the help of nationally-renowned rider Ginger Duke, a national champion trick rider and member of the Dynamite Dames.
The group performed for the first time in September 2018 at a Blanco Rodeo Association playday. They had just one month of practice before their first performance. The team now performs at each of the association’s play days held in the spring and fall.
The team has riders ages 10 and up.
“We have mother/daughter, mother/son, father/daughter, father/son, husband/wife drill team members riders participating,” Schramm said. “It’s truly a friends and family affair. Once you are part of the team, you are family - drill family.”
The team practices weekly. In addition to performing in the playdays, they’ve ridden in several local parades..
“Many drill teams do not allow riders less than 14 years of age, and some require members to be over 18,” Schramm said. “We started this one for riders 9 years old and up who were good riders and deserved a chance to experience the thrill of drill surrounded by family and friends, in preparation for the advanced teams when they become of age.”
The drill team provides a positive and growth-oriented experience for adult and youth riders and focuses on promoting selflessness and teamwork, Schramm said. Members and leadership of the Phoenix Riders are committed to setting an example of character, civility and kindness to each other and their community and who seek to improve each other’s moral courage and capacity for good, she added.
“I am so proud of each and every one on this team and all the hard work and dedication they put out to accomplish this - and what fun we had,” Schramm said.
