Sarasota Military cadets love to horse around

A few weeks ago, Sarasota Military Academy cadets were desperately gripping the saddle horns while they rode four-legged animals weighing in at nearly 1,000 pounds. Students in the equestrian class, instructed by Capt. Sophie Pembleton, are now trotting the horses around the ring like they were born to ride.

The class has become so popular that Pembleton had to expand it to two class periods. The highlight of the year for the cadets is the Veteran’s Day parade, when the horses and riders proudly wear their colors to honor SMA and veterans.