RIDING HIGH—Leah Gunn, who began riding at age 6, started the equestrian team at her school in 2008. The equestrian team at Oak Park High School may be small in numbers, but what they lack in size they make up for in passion.

Leah Gunn, 16, helped launch the team as a freshman. In 2008, she floated the idea for an equestrian team to former Principal Andi Mallen and was surprised to get the green light so quickly.

“She was kind of a horse person as a kid, so (the idea) spoke to her,” Leah said of Mallen.

The team fielded eight riders in its first year on the competition circuit, a number that made Oak Park a contender against schools throughout Southern California whose teams consisted of 30 riders or more. But riding horses is an expensive sport, and the poor economy forced some riders to quit the team by the second year. Now in its third year, the Oak Park Equestrian team consists of three riders—Leah, Megan Polikretis and Hannah Goodman, all juniors.

Leah has been riding horses since she was 6 years old. She rides English style and competes in jumping and other events on her beloved thoroughbred, USS Connolly, a retired race horse. Now 10, Connolly is still going strong in school competitions. Originally the horse was just named Connolly, but Leah added the “USS” in honor of her late grandfather, Herbert Gunn, who served on a naval ship named USS Connolly.

“A horse is old for racing at 4 years old. I really don’t like racing— it hurts them,” she said of the physical demands put on professional race horses.

Hannah said that, while she loves the closeness she feels with her teammates, new members would benefit the team as a whole.

A larger team would add to the excitement of the sport, Hannah said. A competitive jumper, Hannah leases a 15-year-old warmblood named Brady.

School Superintendent Tony Knight said, “We are very proud of our young equestrians at Oak Park High School. It is important that schools offer sports and activities that can turn into lifelong interests and avocations.”