Pony Club stages tetrathlon event

High Lake Pony Clubbers swam, ran, shot at targets and jumped their horses at the second annual Pony Club tetrathlon competition on Saturday.

Seven enthusiastic competitors, ranging in age from 8 to 13 years, took part. Tetrathlon is one of the official U.S. Pony Club events and is also part of international Pony Club competitions.

Saturday's competition began bright and early at the Sisters Athletic Club pool, where the older competitors swam 100 yards and the younger ones completed 50 yards. Tate Metcalf of Sisters Athletic Club came in early to open the pool for the Pony Clubbers.

Competitors and their parent supporters then shifted camp to Marcia Tripiano's property on Cloverdale Road for the remainder of the day.

The running section was 1,000 meters or 500 meters, depending on the age of the competitors. The course included obstacles around Tripiano's equine cross-country course.

Shooting was done with an air pistol, on a target set at 10 meters. Competitors were divided into three sections according to age and each was allowed 20 shots.

The jumping phase consisted of a round of stadium jumping. Older competitors jumped a height of 2-feet-9-inches, mid-level riders jumped 2-feet-3-inches and younger riders did 18-inch cross rails.

Yvette Chandler, district commissioner for High Lakes Pony Club, said they were pleased to have Angie Binkerd from Portland join them for the day. Binkerd is a former Pony Clubber who will serve as a jump steward at the Western Coast Championships later in August.

High Lakes Pony Club is sending Olivia and Ellie Chandler and Sophie Winter to the championships to compete in the quiz section, where competitors test their knowledge of equestrian sport. Brinkerd came to help run Saturday's tetrathlon and provide encouragement to the competitors.

Points accrued at the tetrathlon go toward end-of-year awards. Prizes of Pony Club manuals and horse-shaped soaps were donated by Riding In Style of Tumalo.

Results: First: Molly Winter; Second: Sophie Winter; Third: Patience O'Neal; Fourth: Devon Robillard; Fifth: Langley Vogt; Sixth: Olivia Chandler; Seventh: Alexa Asson.