(ESTACADA) — Janeen Parries loves horses. She owns a ranch with a riding arena, rides as much as she can in her spare time and has spent 13 years as the volunteer coach of the young athletes on Estacada High School’s equestrian team.
She started coaching the Ranger riding team when her daughter entered high school and continued volunteering after her daughter graduated. She finds it gratifying to help kids excel and fall in love with horsemanship.
“It’s rewarding to see these kids grow and accomplish things,” Parries said of the reason she has spent hundreds, maybe thousands of volunteer hours, helping the students on the equestrian team be their best.
“We have an amazing community of equestrian families. They’re good parents and good kids,” she says.
It's no surprise that Parries has fans.
"She’s truly a phenomenal coach," says Wendy Mohr, mom of equestrian team member Cassidy Mohr.
Estacada High School’s athletic director, Andrew Mott, also cannot say enough positive things about Parries and her program.
“The kids love and respect her. It’s a program where the kids want to participate. She makes it a fun place to be,” he says.
Mott also appreciates that the equestrian team allows students to compete in a sport different from traditional high school sports.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for kids to learn from her and showcase their talents in other than traditional sports,” he says. “We’re a rural community, so many of our kids have horses and animals.”
Mohr praises Parries for her supportive guidance.
"Coach Janeen has helped to shape my daughter, Cassidy, into the talented rider she has become. Janeen always has an encouraging word when it’s needed most," she says.
The riding Rangers compete in the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams, or OHSET for short.
OHSET is a nonprofit “dedicated to promoting and organizing equestrian competition in high school athletic programs.” It fosters “sportsmanship, horsemanship and teamwork.”
Parries is especially gratified that the riding Rangers earned the sportsmanship award at a major meet this year.
“I am very, very proud of them for getting this award. It reflects their positive attitude and their help to other teams,” she said.
Individual students on an OHSET team can compete in various events, from barrel racing to dressage to pole bending, and a timed rodeo event in which the rider weaves in and out of poles arranged in a line.
Teams can compete in sorting or separating cattle for pens and other team events.
She has two other coaches who help out, and they shine in some of the events Parries is less focused on.
The amount of time Parries devotes to OHSET varies by the time of year.
She can’t even guess how much time she spends coaching, organizing and doing paperwork. For example, the year-end team picnic is an organizing task that takes a lot of time.
Mom Mohr says Parries routinely goes above and beyond. "She is quick to help and give her time and resources to any of her OHSET athletes."
"When Cassidy was trying to find a bit that would work for her horse, Ranger, Janeen offered any bit she had to see what he liked. She even tailored Cassidy’s jersey to fit her small frame. She’s done so many things. It’s hard to pick just a few."
Parries says of all the volunteer work for the team, “It’s definitely a part-time job.”
“She’s well deserving of this honor,” EHS Athletic Director Mott says.
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