Sisters equestrians bring home gold

After the third and final meet for the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET) Central District, Sisters brought home the High Point trophy, for medium-sized teams, for the first time ever. Sisters athletes also won two of the three individual High Point buckles, and 12 event medals. Competing with 15 schools and a field of 140 riders, the Sisters team was well-represented.

District champions are determined by the total combined points earned in the three meets in each event. There are 11 individual performance (judged) events, and seven individual timed events in which athletes can win gold, silver, and bronze medals. Cammi Benson brought home five medals: Gold medals in reining, Western horsemanship, and working rancher; and silver medals in hunt seat equitation and showmanship.

Olivia Chandler won four medals: Gold in dressage, hunt seat over fences (jumping), and keyhole; and a bronze medal in saddle seat equitation. McKenzie King won the gold medal in break-away roping, Ellie Chandler got the silver medal in dressage, and Autumn Saunders won the bronze medal in dressage. Sisters riders shined in dressage once again, making a sweep of all three district medals.

Five of the 11 Sisters athletes qualified to compete at the state championships in May. To be eligible to compete at the state meet, an athlete must achieve one or more of the following for each event: 1. Win the gold, silver, or bronze district medal; 2. Place first, second, or third in any two of the three district meets; 3. Finish in the top 10 percent in that event's placings. In addition to the 12 events the Sisters athletes won medals in, Ellie Chandler qualified to compete in hunt seat over fences, and McKenzie King qualified in pole bending.

"To have earned 14 slots at the state championships is extraordinary for a team our size," says Coach Yvette Chandler. "We should be very competitive for state medals this year."

In addition to medals for each event, there are three Individual High Point buckles awarded to the athlete who earns the greatest number of points in three different categories: the Performance High Point for the judged events, the Gaming High Point for the timed events, and the Versatility High Point for an athlete who competes in three performance and two timed, or two performance and two timed events.

This year, Sisters athletes captured two of the three high-point buckles.

Olivia Chandler won the Versatility High Point with three performance events and two timed events, and Cammi Benson won the Performance High Point award.

The silver buckles are special recognition for the extreme dedication and high level of achievement these athletes have made to their sport.

"Olivia and I were both really excited to win our High Points," says Benson. "We both set a goal to win the buckles, and worked really hard all season. This year's competition was tough, so winning these High Points was a huge achievement."

Added Chandler, "I've been going after this award for four years now, and have finally succeeded. I had a lot of help from friends and family along the way."

An OHSET tradition at the final district meet is the recognition of senior athletes. Sisters had four seniors who were honored: Olivia Chandler, Autumn Saunders, McKenzie King, and Emily Corrigan. All four athletes have competed on the Sisters equestrian team all four years they have been in high school. It became a very emotional night as the rest of the team said farewell to the seniors. A big part of OHSET is bonding with the team and learning from each other. The Sisters team has become very close, and will miss these four seniors as they go their separate ways.

Equestrian sports are very parent-intensive. The financial support, care, and transport of horses require help from parents, often more than other sports.

"We have a great group of parents this year who are always willing to volunteer at the meets, and help with the horses. To win the overall team trophy, for the first time in school history, was a true team effort by 11 kids, 18 horses, and supportive parents," said a beaming Chandler. "Teddy and I are very proud of what the team has accomplished this season, and we are looking forward to representing Sisters at the state meet."