Riders shine in first competition

Sisters High School equestrians competed well at their first Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) on the weekend.

Sisters veteran OHSET members, Cammi Benson and Ellie Chandler, shone in the performance events, taking first-places in seven different classes. First-timer Libby Harig helped the points total with a third-place in saddleseat equitation.

Rylee Hurtley continued a family tradition with a good showing in barrels, with other Sisters athletes finishing in the top 10 in several other events.

The meets are an exercise in stamina for athletes and parents - competition begins at 8 a.m. on Friday and concludes sometime Sunday afternoon. Parents are expected to help run the events, and they do so cheerfully.

There are three arenas seeing action at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, where the meets are held. Only one of them is indoors, and the weekend's cold temperatures and biting wind tested the athletes and their mounts.

One of the hallmarks of OHSET is the spirit of cooperation and encouragement seen in each arena. Those with more experience help those who have never had to wait with nervous stomachs for their turn to execute a performance pattern or make a run in a gaming event.

Sisters advisor Yvette Chandler and Coach Lisa Allenbach were very pleased with their team.

"The kids have done an awesome job," said Chandler, standing in the icy wind on Saturday afternoon. "We're very pleased."