Sisters equestrians wrap up season

The Sisters High School equestrian team wrapped up the district competition at the third meet held April 10-12, at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. The team ran second to rival Redmond, but several members will be representing Sisters at the state meet, also held at the Fair and Expo Center, on May 15-18.

Equestrian team is technically a club sport at the school, with practices beginning in the depths of winter and continuing into the heat of late spring. The school doesn't officially recognize the team, though the many trophies collected are displayed in the school trophy case.

According to seniors Leslee Zenich and Christina Holler and sophomore Awbrey Cyrus, the parental support has been outstanding this year.

"We have one of the loudest cheering sections," said Zenich.

A contingent of faithful friends shows up to the meets too, which is unusual, added Cyrus. This is not a sport with a large and rowdy fan base, though none of the team members would mind if that changed.

An equestrian team meet runs for three days, all day long. There are 24 events staged in the various arenas in the horse show area. Teams travel from as far away as Lakeview and The Dalles, and the stables are filled with the busy sounds of horsekeeping and show preparation.

Sisters riders will compete in seven performance classes, five gaming events and four team events at the state meet. Points for the district results were cumulative over the season.

Results from the third meet and final district results follow. All medal winners qualify for the state meet:

Dressage: Danielle Orr - third; Courtney Acarregui - District Gold Medal. Hunt Seat over Fences: Courtney Acarregui - second and District Gold Medal. Saddle Seat Equitation: Courtney Accaregui - second and District Silver Medal. In-Hand Trail: Courtney Accaregui - third and District Silver Medal. Showmanship: JJ Ashley - third and District Bronze Medal. Trail: Michael Hopp - first and District Gold Medal; Shelby Ross District Silver Medal.

Stockseat Equitation: JJ Ashley - first and District Gold Medal. Figure 8: Leslee Zenich - third. Keyhole: Jenna Jacosen - top 10 state qualifier. Individual Flags: Awbrey Cyrus - second. Breakaway Roping: Hayden Wester - second. In-Hand Obstacle Relay: Michael Hopp, Courtney Acarregui, JJ Ashley, Shelby Ross - third and District Silver Medal. Working Pairs: Alexis VanderVelde, Danielle Orr - second and District Silver Medal.

Drill Team Short Program: Jenna Jacobsen, Leslee Zenich, Christina Holler, Michael Hopp, Awbrey Cyrus, Taryn Gates, Jessica Snow - first and District Gold Medal. Canadian Team Flags: Michael Hopp, Leslee Zenich, Taryn Gates, Christina Holler - third and District Silver Medal.