Sisters team saddles up

It's not too late to saddle up and join the Sisters High School equestrian team, according to advisor and head coach, Heather Wester.

The team held its first meeting last week, but won't start mounted practices until December 1. Team members don't actually have to have a horse; Wester is making positions available for non-mounted members. They will have a support role, essential in any team sport.

This year Wester is implementing more business-type meetings.

"They'll include fundraising, planning, team bonding and goal setting," she said.

Several parent volunteers are already hatching plans for some fundraisers.

Equestrian team is a club sport, administered by Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET). The state is divided into districts, with Sisters in the Central District. Sixteen schools form the district, and three meets are held in the spring, each at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. The meets take three days to complete, with a dizzying array of events in performance and gaming disciplines. The season winds up with a state meet, held this year in Central Point.

Team members pay a participation fee and engage in fundraising prior to and during the season. One of the highlights of equestrian team is the opportunity to try events far outside one's normal riding expertise. A dressage rider might try her hand at steer daubing and a barrel racer may end up in the midst of a drill team.

"You don't have to have performance experience; it can enhance what you already know," said Wester.

Interested students will find information fliers posted at the high school; contact Heather Wester at 549-9606.