Sisters rider shines in dressage arena

Autumn Saunders, a sophomore at Sisters High School, proved that one doesn't need to spend large to achieve success in the dressage arena. Saunders and her "not expensive" 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Oliver Twist, competed at 1st Level in Jr./Young Rider division.

She finished the season ranked eighth in the nation, fourth in the five-state Region 6, and third in Oregon Dressage Society rankings. Saunders also picked up a Silver Stirrup Award, given by the United States Equestrian Federation to horses in the Performance Horse Registry. And, the pair gathered a reserve champion placing in the United States Dressage Federation All Breeds Awards.

All this is pretty heady stuff for a rider in her second year of competition, but Saunders, a soft-spoken and decisive young woman, takes it in stride. She likes the mental discipline involved in dressage training.

"It's a lot harder than it looks," she said. "I like knowing that you can always do better."

Saunders' mother, Kimberly Gorayeb, takes credit for discovering Oliver, but acknowledges that it's Autumn's dedication and the good coaching of Sisters trainer Audrey Goldsmith that led to a successful season. The horse was known to be picky about whom he bonded with, but from the first ride he and Saunders hit it off. The success of the partnership was evident to Oliver's former owner, who held off other offers, saying she wanted Saunders to have him.

According to Gorayeb, Oliver Twist began his dressage career in Montana, where he was born. Somewhere between 4 and 7 years of age he went to a rider he didn't care for, and a subsequent owner purchased him because she felt sorry for him. His next owner was a high-school girl who started him in eventing. That girl eventually went to college and put Oliver up for sale, at which time Gorayeb came across him on the website http://www.DreamHorse.com. He was initially priced out of their budget, but eventually his price was reduced, Gorayeb purchased him and the partnership with Saunders began.

The pair doesn't stick strictly to the dressage arena. Saunders is on the SHS equestrian team and competed last year in dressage, working pairs, hunt seat equitation and in-hand obstacle relay.

"I don't think we'll do in-hand this year. He really doesn't care for that," she said.

Saunders plays volleyball for Sisters High School, and spends a few weeks in the summer ocean sailing on the East Coast with her family. Goldsmith keeps Oliver tuned up during that time, and Saunders goes on a riding fitness fast-track when she returns. She'll be competing at 2nd Level next season, a challenge she's sure she and Oliver are up for.