Equestrian team welcomes all riders

The Sisters High School equestrian team is gearing up for a new season, and organizers want interested equestrian athletes to know that there is space for all on the team.

Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET) "has a place for all riders, from beginners to very competitive," said Beth Jacobsen, who co-advises the team with Ann Gates.

An introductory meeting is scheduled at SHS on October 27 at 6:30 p.m., and Jacobsen said flyers will be posted at the school with more information about the meeting.

OHSET is a club sport with unparalleled support from the families of participating athletes. This is vital, since the meets, held once a month from February through May, take place over three days. Athletes and their mounts, from many different schools in a wide geographic area, converge to take part in a dizzying array of events ranging from dressage to steer daubing, and drill team to driving.

Athletes are encouraged to try events outside their expertise, with sportsmanship and teamwork a primary focus. While owning a horse is optimal, it's not necessary for participation in the team, said Jacobsen. She added that anyone with a suitable horse that they'd be willing to loan to an athlete for the season is welcome to contact her.

Several local experts coach the team. Jacobsen takes on gaming and cattle work; Ann Gates coaches the drill team; Dar Rosauer leads Western performance, dressage and ground work; Karen O'Neal coaches dressage and jumping; and Sisters alum Rachel Eady preps partipants in reining and games. Practices are typically held three to four times a week, with a focus on a different event at each practice.

"The commitment is all based on how an athlete wants to compete and how many events they are interested in," said Jacobsen.

For more information, contact Beth Jacobsen at 541-549-0508; [email protected] or Ann Gates at 541-480-9676; [email protected]