Sisters horsewomen succeed at state fair

Last updated 9/19/1995 at Noon

Erin Deggendorfer of Sisters went into Oregon State Fair 4-H horsemanship competition August 16-18 expecting to perform well. After all, she won blue ribbons in several events at the Deschutes County Fair.

But competition at the state level is tough",

Deggendorfer said. "You're expected to know more; you're expected to do more."

The 14-year-old and her mare Texas rose to the occasion, winning blue ribbons in showmanship, western equitation, herdsmanship and trail riding.

To qualify for a blue ribbon a rider must receive a score of at least 85 points out of a possible 100. The showmanship class requires dismounted rider's to take their horses through patterns on the ground. Western equitation judges the riders seat and control of the horse working through patterns and trail riding takes a horse and rider through an obstacle course simulating trail conditions.

Deggendorfer ranked in the top 10 percent in the trail riding class.

Lenae Elliott of Sisters, age 13, was awarded red ribbons in showmanship and western equitation and she and Deggendorfer both qualified for blue ribbons in herdsmanship, which judges animal care.

Deggendorfer also competed in 4-H public speaking, winning a Judges Choice Award for her team presentation on "The Perfect Cowboy Meal."

The Deschutes County team as a whole performed well at the fair, which Deggendorfer attributes to a strong sense of teamwork.

"A lot of good kids really worked together and relied on each other," she said.

Another Sisters area resident turned in an impressive performance at the fair.

Laurie Lefors and her Tennessee Walking horse Justa Shakin' Genius won Reserve Grand Champion honors as a model horse.

The Tennessee Walker is used to winning; the 7-year-old gelding was the 1991 national model world champion.

"He's had quite an illustrious little history," Lefors said.

Justa Shakin' Genius has been out of the show ring for a year, taking on new challenges.

"He's learning to be a Tennessee Walker trail horse," Lefors said. "He's had a career change."

The state fair marked the end of the show season for the Central Oregon riders. Deggendorfer said her next show will be in April. Until then she plans to give Texas -- and herself -- a well-deserved break.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.