POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Summerlin Military Academy High School in Polk County has what may be one of the only public high school equestrian programs of its kind in the country. 

The students, also known as cadets, spend their freshman year taking classes to learn all about horses and get to do some grooming. Then during the next three years, they learn an ancient military style of riding called dressage. 

They travel to High Gait Farm South of Bartow for their classes two or three times each week. Each cadet generally rides the same horse each time. 

The cadets are responsible for grooming the horses. Senior Abby Syfrett rides a mare named BB. She really enjoys the grooming before she rides.

“This is when I feel we are really bonding together, because I learn her behavior, and we get comfortable with each other,” she said.

Ken Allen has been teaching the class at his farm for 14 years. He said dressage is based on very nuanced moves by both rider and horse. “That’s how they win, for one thing. He’s got to learn what you want. You have to reward him instantaneously."

“It’s just so little movement and it’s just very pretty to watch to me,” Syfrett said. “It’s difficult but at the same time when you watch it, it doesn’t look difficult at all.”

The cadets compete four or five days a year.

Their next competition is March 7 and 8 in Ocala.