Sisters equestrians complete first meet of season

The Sisters Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) completed their first meet on the weekend with satisfied athletes and coaches. Despite wintery conditions at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center grounds and the loss of three athletes due to injury, the team persevered and athletes finished in the top 10 in 15 of the 23 events that Sisters entered.

The English riding events have historically been Sisters' strongest, and the tradition continued with Olivia and Ellie Chandler bringing home first and second place in Hunt Seat Over Fences. Cammie Benson took first place in Hunt Seat Equitation, with Ellie Chandler and Elizabeth Larson sitting in seventh and ninth places.

Olivia and Autumn brought home third and fourth in Dressage while Bobbi Jo Rosauer took second in Saddle Seat Equitation.

Sisters riders are showing some strength over in the Western event arena as well, said co-adviser Ann Gates. Cammie Benson picked up second in Working Rancher and fourth in Western Showmanship and Reining. Elissa O'Connor brought home fourth in Trail Equitation.

Benson also came in third in driving.

The cattle events had Bobbi Jo Rosauer and McKenzie King capturing third and fifth in steer daubing while Team Penners A (Rosauer, King and Olivia Chandler) came in fifth.

Benson and O'Connor worked hard in Working Pairs to gain second placing, and Ellie Chandler and King brought home sixth.

Sisters is the defending champion in Drill Team but was unable to field a team this year. Gates was reluctant to start riders in drill who had never participated, citing safety and time constraints.

All in all, Gates said, they were very happy with the meet. Seth Bouris, a transfer student from Crook County and the sole male on the team, had a tough day in the gaming arena but newcomer Tessa Georges discovered just how fast her new horse is. No injuries occurred, and the fairgrounds were quiet. The team is fairly young, with just four upperclassmen, and Gates is looking forward to watching confidence and abilities improve as the season progresses. The next meet is March 29-31, at the Expo Center in Redmond.