HSU Insider

Six White Horses Audition Date

• By Dave Coffield
• Posted August 15, 2006 4:09 PM
• 0 Comments

Debbie Jones, director of the Six White Horses program announced the date of try-outs for the 2006-2007 riding team. Jones needs to fill 3 vacancies this year, so cowgirls with visions of joining this elite equestrian team should start getting some quality-time in the saddle. Auditions will be at the Doc Beazley Six White Horses Center on the HSU campus, 19 Sep, at 5:00 p.m.
The public is invited to the try-outs.

Prospective riders must be enrolled as full-time students at HSU, and must have strong riding skills. Each applicant will be interviewed to assess their ability to represent the University and to maintain poise under stressful conditions. To make sure only the best riders are chosen, even current riders must audition each year.

Typically, prospects will demonstrate the ability to properly saddle a horse as judges evaluate their confidence, strength, and interaction with the horses. The group rides out to the arena where each prospect will demonstrate the ability to control a horse through a predetermined course. The course ends at the judge’s stand with the judges interview.

Riders perform throughout the year and are expected to groom their horses, handle tack and riding gear, and practice riding routines 2 – 3 times per week. The selection team generally chooses 8 riders so that at least 6 will be available at any given time for the program’s grueling schedule. Riders must have the stamina to guide a horse through complex routines while carrying one of the six flags that are associated with Texas history.

The 2005-2006 team will perform the finale’ of the season at this year’s West Texas Fair and Rodeo. If you miss the Six White Horses in the opening parade on 9 Sep, you can see them perform each night of the rodeo from 12-16 Sep. Their’s is the first performance of the evening, so you’ll need to be there by 7:30 p.m.