Horse Community Rallies Around High School Shooting Survivor, AQHA Rider

By: Brittany Bevis

By now, many of our readers have likely heard about a horrific event that took place at Oxford High School in Oakland County, Michigan on Tuesday of this week. According to the Detroit Free Press, four people were killed and seven were injured in a school shooting. A 15-year-old boy was taken into custody and later charged with multiple counts of first degree-murder and terrorism. Reports confirm he will be tried as an adult, and his parents may also be charged. (Detroit Free Press, 2021)

Sadly, a member of the horse community, Kylie Ossege, was shot in the attack. Not only was Kylie shot in the chest, she also witnessed her other friends being shot and later learned the news of their passing. She sustained gunshot wounds to both shoulders, has three broken ribs and a clavicle, underwent spinal surgery, and has a tube in her lung to help her breathe. This teenager has witnessed some of the worst of humanity, and is currently struggling to heal from her own extensive injuries.

Kylie is a 17-year-old senior who has been riding since she was six years old and showing since she was eight. She currently competes with her bay AQHA gelding, My Blazin Zipper, in all around events on local open show circuits and at Oakland County 4-H shows. She also competed on her middle school equestrian team and the high school equestrian team.

Kellie Wicker, Kylie’s former high school equestrian team coach, spoke a bit about her pupil. “Kylie is an avid equestrian. She’s a beautiful rider who shows her AQHA gelding, Blaze, here in Michigan.”

“She’s such an incredible young lady that comes from an amazing family. She didn’t deserve this. She has been updated from critical to stable condition, which is amazing, but the recovery will be long and hard.”

Kellie has provided a link to a GoFundMe account that has been organized by Teresa Roland and Marla Michele Must, on behalf of Kylie’s mother, Marita Aragones Ossege, who is the beneficiary of the account. The monies raised will assist with expenses incurred over the next few months and potentially years of Kylie’s recovery.

“This beautiful soul is in the ICU at an unnamed hospital where she underwent surgery this week for her gunshot wounds. The goal here is to give [the family]  breathing room to do whatever is necessary to support her way back to a somewhat normal life. We can’t even imagine what that could look like, but we hope the financial support takes one less stress off this traumatic event. If you can’t donate, please pray for Kylie and her entire family. It’s going to take all we have and more to help get them through this.”- GoFundMe

In just 24 hours, $24,021 has been raised of the $100,000 goal.

Click here for the link to the GoFundMe page. 

Kylie’s brother provided an additional update on her condition. “Kylie is currently in the ICU with two gunshot wounds. She has a broken clavicle and two broken ribs. However, she’s stable. She’s having conversations and even cracking some jokes. The timeline on her recovery is still unknown, but we’re confident she will recover. We’re incredibly appreciative of the outpouring of support she has received from friends, family, and the community. ”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kylie, her family and friends, and those affected by this tragedy.