Sisters riders shine at OHSET

Icy winds and snow blowing sideways didn't dissuade the Sisters equestrian team from their mission at the first Central District OHSET (Oregon High School Equestrian Team) meet, held over the weekend at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center.

Friday's weather tested the mettle of all the athletes from the 14 schools in the district. They had to compete in the outdoor arena for several events until they were able to move inside.

"They were positive and gave it their best effort," said team advisor Yvette Chandler.

There were no complaints about having to perform in ski team conditions. She added that the 15-member team did extremely well for the first meet. Several athletes were having their first OHSET experience, and it takes a while to settle in to the energy and rhythm of the meets. In the individual events, there's a long period of waiting around for a few minutes of competition, and that can be hard on nerves for the uninitiated. There's plenty of encouragement from the sidelines, though, during those moments of effort.

Sisters' sole male OSHET athlete, freshman Jackson Robinson, is a novice horseman and spent the meet observing rather than competing. He'll be entering competition in the next meet. Robinson is using an experienced horse named Grey, owned by former OHSET athlete Hayden Wester, and said, "The best part of the meet has been just hanging out with the rest of the team."

OHSET meets are three full days of competition, with a dizzying array of events ranging from dressage to steer daubing and barrel racing, showmanship and drill team. The athletes, and their horses, are encouraged to try something they haven't done before, to step out of their comfort zone in a safe and supportive environment.

Parental support is vital, too, with each school responsible for running one or more events. Sisters parents and supporters found themselves running the driving event, teaming with Mt. View parents for steer daubing and roping and operating the gate for team penning.

Sisters athletes took top-10 placings in several events, evenly spread over performance and games. Seniors Cammi Benson, Ellie Chandler and Rylee Hurtley led the way with several first-place finishes.

The next meet is April 1-3, at the Deschutes Country Fair and Expo Center.

Driving: Isabella Allenbach - 2nd

Saddleseat Equitation: Ellie Chandler - 1st

Hunt Seat Equitation: Cammi Benson - 2nd

Dressage: Ellie Chandler - 1st; Sophie Winter - 3rd

In Hand Obstacle Relay: Ellie Chandler; Emma Nicklous; Rebecca Rubbert; and Isabella Allenbach - 4th

Freestyle Fours (drill team): Carlotte Barton; Erica Jeffrey; Isabella Allanbach; and Sophie Winter -

3rd

Showmanship: Cammi Benson - 1st; Rebecca Rubbert - 10th

In Hand Trail: Rebecca Rubbert - 4th

Western Horsemanship: Cammi Benson - 1st

Working Rancher: Cammi Benson -1st

Reining: Cammi Benson - 2nd; Emma Nicklous - 8th

Team Penning: Team A (Emma Nicklous; Cammi Benson; and Isabella Allanbach) - 4th; Team B (Rylee Hurtley; Ellie Chandler; Brook Knirk; and Sophie Winter) - 5th

Canadian Flags: Ellie Chandler; Rylee Hurtley; Isabella Allanbach; and Sophie Winter - 6th

Individual Flags: Ellie Chandler - 4th

Two-Man Bi Rangle: Ellie Chandler and Emma Nicklous - 9th

Barrels: Rylee Hurtley - 1st

Pole Bending: Rylee Hurtley - 10th

Canadian Flags: Ellie Chandler; Rylee Hurtley; Isabella Allenbach; and Sophie Winter - 6th