Equestrian team is back in the saddle

The Sisters High School equestrian team is back in the saddle with a solid group of 25 riders. Of those, 12 are new to the team, and together the riders represent a diverse range of skill and experience.

The equestrian team season runs through the spring with three district meets and a state meet. In a fortunate turn of events for Central Oregon teams, each district meet as well as the state meet are being held this year at the Deschutes Fair and Expo Center.

Equestrian team is a club sport and covers the gamut of riding disciplines from dressage to roping. Karen Friend, the team advisor, credits parental support and coaching help from community members with helping team members increase their skills.

The team took second place at the first meet, held February 16-18. Friend said the team is the reigning district champion and is hopeful of another successful series.

Sisters is defending two state titles, in dressage and drill team. Jennifer Friend holds the dressage championship, and four of the nine members of the drill team are last year's champions. They are Shayna Forbes, Jennifer Friend, Christina Holler and Leslee Zenich. Due to increased interest, the drill team has increased from six to nine members.

Four of the six seniors have made equestrian team their spring sport every year. Those four, Danielle Elder, Shayna Forbes, Jennifer Friend and Annie Hancock have watched the team grow from a handful of riders their freshman year to the excited and diverse group that proudly represents SHS now.

Some of the riders spend their away-from-equestrian-team saddle time at hunter-jumper shows. Some do eventing while others attend team penning events, dressage shows and breed shows. Trail riders and gamers find a place to shine too.

By all accounts, the most enjoyable aspect of equestrian team is being able to do something completely different with your horse. A trail rider might have a go at team penning, and a dressage champion might take a turn on the trail course.

Scoring for the season is cumulative. The top 10 percent of placers in each event have their scores count toward the season total. In the smaller classes, this is the top three placings; in larger classes it is the top five.

The next meet will be March 30-April 1. Admission is free, and many events are indoors.