Sisters High School Equestrians are district champions

Sisters High School equestrian team once again rode away with district honors at the final district meet held April 19-21 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

Sisters competes as a large school, comprised of teams of 16 or more members. This year, 25 riders carried the Sisters colors around the arena, over jumps, through obstacles and behind steers. Twenty of them will continue to the state meet, held on May 18-20 at the fairgrounds.

Senior Jennifer Friend successfully defended her dressage gold medal, as did the drill team. Other gold medal honors went to Cassidy Keeton in steer daubing, where he broke the record with a time of .83 seconds. Shayna Forbes took gold in breakaway roping, as did Courtney Acarregui in hand trail and Aubyn Geser in hunt seat over fences.

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 exciting and diverse group that proudly represents SHS now. The team has built such a reputation that middle schoolers are preparing now for their entry into the team.

Team advisor, Karen Friend, has done her job for four years. One of the most rewarding aspects for her has been watching riders improve their skills, leadership and relationships with both their teammates and their horses. She cites junior Leslee Zenich as an example.

"When she started as a freshman, she and her horse were both green. Now they're placing regularly in the

gaming events," she said.

Zenich will go to state in drill, figure-8, polebending and keyhole.

Friend also pointed out that many of the district representatives are Sisters riders, no mean feat in a district comprised of 18 schools.

An equestrian team meet is not a mere hour or two out of an afternoon. It requires a four-day commitment, hauling a horse (sometimes two), gear, feed and maybe an RV for accommodations.

The sport is classed as a "club sport" in the school and not eligible for funding. The team members are raising funds to offset some of the personal cost with an evening of Donkey Basketball on Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m.

Held at the Sisters Middle School, the evening promises to be a humbling and entertaining experience. Donkeys are no respecters of equestrian, basketball or academic ability, and teams pitting athletes against teachers will take to the boards.

Tickets may be purchased from an equestrian team member or at the door.