Things are looking good this year for the Sweet Home High School equestrian team, according to Coach Billie Bjornsen.
The team will compete in its first meet Friday through Sunday at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
“I think they’re doing well,” Bjornsen said. “Most of them are gamers,” but the team has put together a drill team, and two will compete in western equitation.
The team includes three fourth-year members, seniors Cera Kem, Tracy Smith and Larissa Bjornsen. Senior Jessalyn Seiber is in her third year on the team.
Sophomore Rochelle Zamacona returns for her second year.
They are joined by sophomore Leah Keesecker and freshmen Jessica Blankenship and Meisha Carlin.
“The girls have worked so hard,” Bjornsen said. “We have been working with the coach from Cascade, Kim Frye; and she has our girls looking great and has taught them so much. They will make our town very proud with all the hard work and dedication they have put forth.”
Larissa Bjornsen is team captain this year, Coach Bjornsen said. “She has a lot of heart, ambition and helps coach and lead our other team and all our events.”
“We’re going to have really strong gaming this year,” Bjornsen said. The four seniors are all gamers, and they run fast times generally speaking with picking up flags.
“We have an awesome drill this year,” Bjornsen said. “I’m pretty excited about the drill because we’re doing it to the “Grease” theme.”
The girls will be dressed in pinks to resemble the girls in the film, she said, and they will perform to the “Grease” soundtrack. All four members are carrying flags. On the drill team are Larissa Bjornsen, Kem, Seiber and Carlin with Tracy Smith as an alternate.
Carlin and Kem also will compete in western equitation.
The equestrian team also will attend meets on March 28-30 and April 25-27 at the state fairgrounds.
“Their number one goal is to come together as a team and stay strong as a team,” Bjornsen said.