Students from Culver Academies prepare for virtual inaugural parade submission
Despite swirling uncertainty about whether or not there would be an inaugural parade to participate in, horseback riders from Culver academies have spent the past several months perfecting their routine. Though they hadn’t been given official approval from the inaugural committee at the time of their practice run, the riders were provided with the opportunity to submit a video for possible consideration to be included the virtual Presidential Inaugural Parade for Presidentelect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
The school’s mounted units consist of 55 five boys from Culver Military academy’s Black Horse Troop and 22 Equestriennes of the Culver Girls academy. They repre
sent 14 states as well as six different countries. With the assistance of Horsemanship staff, the students have been practicing for this opportunity since September.
Mark Waller, Director of the horsemanship program, noted that the preparation for the virtual parade has been the same as preparing for an in person event, with a little bit of added pressure.
He explained, “In fact, we did it even more intensely, really, because we didn’t know until the last minute. We didn’t know if we were going until very recently. We’re more prepared now than we’ve been in the past.”
He said part of that additional preparedness is due to the fact that he and the other coaches have been able to learn from past inaugural events and incorporate important takeaways into training for this one.
He said reaching this status did not come easily, “We’ve worked very hard to get here. We’ve done [practices] three to four times a week, long Sunday rides on the roads, acclimated them to everything.”
He explained that sometimes the animals are skittish about certain things so, in order to prepare them for potential problems ahead of time, the coaches immerse the riders and their horses in various situations they may encounter while in a parade such as dealing with steam, litter, and loud music.
Two students from abroad who had limited experiences with horses prior to attending Culver Military Academy shared how it feels to play a role in this parade as international students.
Patricio “Pato” Quintanilla note, “I think it’s crazy coming from another country, we don’t get opportunities like that. I’m from Mexico and it’s not normal to either go to a school where you have the Black Horse Troop members and the Equestriennes riding together with you.”
Quintanilla said he and his fellow riders were a bit nervous throughout the year, unsure of whether or not they’d be able to participate due to COVID-19 restrictions so he was grateful for the chance to be in it and has shared his excitement with family members back home.
Steven Su, an international student from China, added, “It’s obviously a big of the reasons why we came to Culver and chose Troop because the Presidential Inauguration is a very significant tradition.” He continued, “My family is very proud because obviously riding in a Presidential Inauguration is very exciting.”
The 2021 inaugural parade marks the 108th anniversary of the Black Horse Troop’s first trip to Washington D.C. when the mounted unit served as the official escort for Vice President Thomas Marshall during Woodrow Wilson’s inaugural parade in 1913 inauguration of Wood Wilson.
School officials noted that they participated again in 1917 but then took a four decade hiatus before returning to Washington in 1957 for President Eisenhower’s second term.
The Culver boarding school has been represented by mounted units in every parade since, except in 1993 when an invitation for President Clinton’s first inaugural parade was not extended.
While the Black Horse Troop has been taking part in various inaugural events for more than a century, for the Equestriennes, however, this marks the 35 anniversary of their first presidential parade, as they were included not until 1985.
Four Marshall County Equestriennes who said they earned the nickname “The Barn Rats” for essentially living at the stables explained what it means to them to be a part of history.
“I think it’s really special that we get to do this.” Hayley Behling from Culver noted, “I grew up in a small town and never thought I’d be actually be participating in something like this.”
For Junior Sofia Fitzpatrick from Plymouth, this is not her first rodeo, per se, “In 2016, I was able to go and be at the actual inaugural and it was very fascinating to see everything and I saw Culver there and it was the most amazing thing I ever saw. That was the school I was planning on going to at that age.”
She added, “Horses have just been such a big part of my life and knowing that I was going to be able to be in it, that was such a huge moment for me.”
Senior student Emma Janda from Argos recalled the inaugural parade being a big draw when she was considering Culver Girls Academy has a middle schooler, “I remember coming for my interview in 8th grade and they were like, ‘Oh, if you end up coming to Culver, you’re going to be in the inaugural parade your senior year.’ Janda continued, “It was something that was so far away but now I’m actually living it.”
When considering the difference between physically participating and providing a video for the virtual parade, “The Barn Rats” did not seem disappointed in the least bit and commented on the unique nature of the situation. They explained that while they may not get to physically go to D.C., they may very well be the only group that participates remotely so it’s an opportunity to participate in the same tradition but make history in their own unique way.
All four young women noted that they grew up around horses and felt grateful that they were able to continue riding when school went virtual during the COVID-19 lockdowns. They also extended their gratitude to their coaches Savannah Koranic and Grace Mccay for all their assistance and for ensuring that they’d be able to play a role in the inaugural activities.
Coach Kranich, a graduate of CGA, had the opportunity to ride as the Equestrienne’s captain her senior year during the 2005 inaugural parade and said she’s grateful her students has the same chance to participate.
Kranich shared, “I definitely understand the excitement that they have going through this process as well as probably a little bit of the nervousness.” She continued, “It was a huge honor and I’m really happy that, even though the parade won’t be in person, it’s great that we have the possibility of being a part of the virtual parade.”
The head coach noted that Culver’s inaugural committee has been working hard to allow for the students to participate. She added that Culver Academies’ well documented history of involvement is a good distinguishing factor but to garner more support, Kranich and other coaches, along with the student riders, wrote letters to senators and representatives. They were also able to reach out to alumni who had a chance to participate in the past and existing contacts in D.C. to express their wishes to play a part in the first ever virtual inaugural parade scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20.