Equestrians gallop into competition

The Sisters High School equestrian team gallops into their new season with the first Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) meet on February 21-23. The meets encompass three days of competition and are held at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond.

The team of 11 athletes and their horses has been practicing all winter and is ready for the challenges ahead. They'll compete against 19 schools in the Central District, which includes all Central Oregon schools and stretches as far east as Baker City and Pendleton, south to Lakeview, north and west to The Dalles, Hood River and Dufur.

Over the three days of competition, the athletes and their horses will compete in events ranging from dressage to steer daubing, showmanship at halter to team penning, showjumping to barrel racing. Often a rider will use OHSET as a chance to try a new discipline. The stated goal of OHSET is for equestrian athletes to be challenged, build character and do the sport they love.

Friday's events are the English disciplines, In-Hand Obstacle Relay, Working Pairs and Drill. Saturday holds the Western, showmanship and cattle events, with always exciting Team Penning on Saturday night. Sunday is gaming which includes the timed events, and reining.

There is no charge for the meet, vendors are on-site and organizers ask that dogs be left at home.

OHSET is a club sport in Sisters and team advisor/Coach Yvette Chandler and Coach Teddy Georges are looking forward to the season.

"The team's theme this year is 'have fun,'" said Chandler. "Another thing I see is the camaraderie and willingness to get things done as a team."

Historically, Sisters equestrian athletes have excelled in the English disciplines of dressage, hunt seat, and jumping. Chandler sees a strong chance for that again this year with the return of two-time state champion senior Olivia Chandler and state qualifiers senior Autumn Saunders, and sophomores Ellie Chandler and Cammie Benson. Senior Emily Corrigan is an experienced English rider and returns again this year.

Western and gaming events have strong competitors also. Senior McKenzie King returns as a state qualifier in Steer Daubing. Chandler notes that junior Tessa Georges and sophomore Emma Nicklous show great improvement in their Western skills.

Three new members have joined Sisters OHSET this year. Junior Chawndra Craig is returning to riding after a long hiatus, sophomore Rylee Hurtley is a long-time equestrian, and freshman Madison King is getting warmed up for competition doing the in-hand events.

"Each one of these athletes is a hard-charging competitor in their individual disciplines. But one of the many benefits of OHSET is that it allows athletes to try something completely new and different from their specialties, in an environment of supportive peers," said Chandler. "I'm very excited for the season to begin."