Horse classic draws top riders

Some of the finest horseflesh and best riders in Central Oregon offered their best efforts at the 14th Annual Oregon High Desert Classics Horse Show at the J Bar J Youth Services facility in Bend.

The nationally recognized Hunter/Jumper show is a fund-raiser for J Bar J Youth Services. Numerous Sisters riders participated.

The event has been sold out in terms of capacity entries for the past several years, testament to the high esteem in which it is held in the show jumping world.

The "show" is actually two separate competitions, held from Wednesday through Sunday of its two-week run. Sunday's featured competition is a Grand Prix event, which the jumpers qualify for through the week.

Grand Prix courses consist of jumps of truly frightening height and scope, which the horses and riders sail through with seemingly effortless grace and speed. The winner completes the course in the fastest time with the fewest faults and is competing for a monetary prize.

The shows offer plenty of eye candy in terms of horseflesh and in the creative decorations adorning the ends of each barn aisle.

Training barns from all over the west are represented and each has its own style.

Several Sisters riders were among the several hundred competitors. Their mettle was truly tested in the 90-plus degree heat, but they seemed to be bearing up well.

Danielle Orr, who with her sister Alexa competes in the pony hunter divisions, credited "Karen (O'Neal, her trainer at Catalyst Farms,) my pony, and lots of water" with getting her through the days.

Alexa was showing two ponies in a grueling schedule. The Sisters Middle School student will have competed in over 25 classes at the completion of the shows.

Mollie Broadbent, a senior at Sisters High School, is in her first real season of showing jumpers "at this level." As a working student at West Country, a stable in Bend, she helps out with barn chores in exchange for training and showing privileges on an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding named Sovereign (known around the barn as Hemet).

She credits owners Steve and Jenny Newell with giving her the opportunity to pursue a sport she is passionate about. When asked what draws her to the show jumping ring, Broadbent said, "When I get in the ring I'm really nervous. Then when I get around all those jumps, it's a huge thrill. I love it."

The show continues July 23-27. J Bar J Youth Services is located on Hamby Road in Bend. Admission is free, though parking is $3 on the weekend.