After a year of saving and building anticipation, MRHS Boosters generated enough funds to welcome home what Marriotts has always been missing: a real mustang. In 2023, The Student Government Association (SGA) proposed and had gotten approval for the idea of bringing to school a horse to replace our costume mascot. Coming April 24th, the horse, a 14.0 mustang, will be brought into the built-in shelter at the school field to improve school spirit.
Of course, as a wild breed of horses, it would be unethical to bring one forcefully. The mustang in question was taken in by MRHS in an act of kindness and charity, due to a difficult past that loomed among its shoulders and kept it from running back into the wild.
“I can’t believe we actually got a real mascot. I bet there’s no other school with a live mascot,” junior Sai Velamala said, “It really sets us apart.”
Ridge Rider started out as a wild horse, as many mustangs do, but was taken in by a local farm that trained him to compete in various Maryland horse-racing competitions. Though these practices were ethical, and while Ridge Rider excelled in each competition, his success would not last forever. On December 12, 2024, Ridge Rider went through a devastating crash that broke his hind leg and rendered him unable to race competitively. Coincidentally, Marriotts Ridge was looking for a horse to bring to school around the same time, and the stars practically aligned. After signing adoption and property papers, Marriotts Ridge finally had a true Mustang. The wild, freeness of this horse, hindered by being kept in the shelter for so long, can run in the fields of this school.
“At first, I thought they meant the Dark Horse Ford Mustang, which was cool, but eh. What would we do with a car? But a real horse? That would be cool to see, especially during school events,” said junior Oliver Musters.
Part of the money raised also went to investing in a caretaker for the horse, alongside small stables near the football field as its living quarters. The Marriotts Ridge equestrian club, a group of girls who ride horses in races, are ecstatic to help out and teach others how to properly encounter and treat horses.
“My older sister used to be a part of the equestrian club, she’s so happy that Marriotts now has a real horse as their mascot. She told me that I have to approach the horse calmly, but when handling, the grip should be firm and controlled,” senior Emily Kim said.
Many other students are learning the same thing just to interact with Ridge Rider.
Benefits from adopting Ridge Rider also extends out of the current student body. Middle schoolers looking for their next school could see that Marriotts Ridge has a horse, and it could attract all kinds of future Marriotts Ridge students.
Despite the hardships Ridge Rider faced, it now has a home. With love and support from the student body, staff and hired caretakers, Ridge Rider becomes important in this new space, representing Marriotts Ridge High School’s dedication to free expression and wilderness.