Jane Marquess daubs her steer in 2.15 seconds to place 10th in that event during OHSET South Valley District Meet 3. GINI DAVIS – THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE
After competing in three OHSET (Oregon High School Equestrian Teams) South Valley District meets this season, Creswell High equestrians have qualified for state in five events.
Levi Bones advances to state in two individual events, one partner event and one team event. He is the district gold medalist in steer daubing and the silver medalist in breakaway roping; he and partner Grace Haga took the district’s bronze medal in two-man birangle; and the team of Levi Bones, Haga, Jane Marquess, Hope Walpole and Gracie Bones (team alternate) took the district’s gold medal in freestyle fours.
Gracie Van Zandt also qualified for state as the district’s gold medalist in showmanship.
”We are excited to be preparing for so many athletes to compete at the state meet,” said Creswell Head Coach Lauri Thomas.
South Valley District Meet 3 was held April 6, 7 and 8 at Oregon Horse Center in Eugene.
In top 10 finishes for Creswell, the team of Levi Bones, Haga, Marquess and Walpole won the freestyle fours event; Van Zandt won the showmanship event and placed seventh in in-hand trail; Levi Bones placed third in steer daubing, fifth in working rancher and fifth in individual flags; and Haga placed fifth in keyhole and sixth in barrels.
The team of Levi Bones, Haga and Marquess placed third and the team of Gracie Bones, Cassie Fergason and Walpole placed fourth in team penning; the team of Levi Bones and Haga placed fifth and the team of Marquess and Walpole placed 10th in two-man birangle; the team of Levi Bones, Haga, Marquess and Walpole placed eighth in Canadian flags; Gracie Bones placed 10th in pole bending; and Marquess placed 10th in steer daubing.
”This last weekend was so exciting, with solid performances once again,” Thomas said. ”But there were some bittersweet moments as well, as we are saying goodbye to our two seniors, McKenzie Hutchinson and Hope Walpole. We wish them ‘happy trails’ in their future equine pursuits.”
In recent years, the CHS equestrian team ”has grown in numbers, fans and determination – and already, our athletes are making plans and setting goals for next season,” Thomas said, noting that ”OHSET is wonderful in inclusivity; anyone can participate and compete in nearly any equine discipline.”
The 2018 OHSET State Championships are slated for May 10-13 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center in Redmond.
