Southwestern Central School junior Victoria Smith maintained her first place in Walk Trot Canter Equitation class.

Aubrey Olson, age 9 of Chautauqua Lake Central School, took first in Equitation in Walk Trot in her first ever competition; Hadley Olson, age 7 of Dewittville, improved to first place; and Rosie Dent, kindergartener at Bemus Point Central School, maintained her first place in both of her Lead Walking classes, while her sister Charlotte, age 7, improved to first place in Equitation Trot Class.

All Chautauqua County riders are members of the Dell Performances Horses Equestrian Team based at the Whispering Creek Stables in Gerry.

“Competing alongside teammates and other riders challenges everyone,” coach Jillian Gazdak said, noting that winter tournaments are great for experience. “My students put all their skills to the test, and build confidence at the same time.”

The competitions vary in difficulty beginning with lead line classes for the youngest competitors to Walk Trot classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced; and also Walk Trot Canter sessions for beginners/intermediates, as well as advanced. All classes are judged for Equitation and Pleasure riding.

Equitation competitions are judged for how well the rider performs and instructs the horse, and Pleasure classes are judged by how “pleasurable” the horse is to ride. All riders are critiqued on their body position and ability to navigate the arena.

This is the second of three “draw style” competitions, in which the horses’ names are literally drawn out of a hat for each rider. This can be challenging to novice riders, but all horses are supplied by the hosting stable and are used in regular lessons. More riders are able to compete since horse ownership is not required.

The Dell team continues to grow, and will compete in the final tournament of the series in Mid-April. This time they will have home advantage at Whispering Creek Stables.

For more information on Dell Performance Horses riding program, or the upcoming tournament contact Gazdak at 397-2577.

RESULTS

places for Equitation and Plesaure, respectively:

Rayne Biekert, age 3, Jamestown, 3rd

Charlotte Dent, 7, Bemus Point Elementary, 1st , 2nd

Rosie Dent, 6, Bemus Point Elementary, 1st, 1st

Emarie Dippel, 7, Bemus Point, 3rd, 1st

Briella Dustin, 4 Falconer, 4th, 4th

Charlie Griffin, 7, Fredonia, 5th, 5th

Caroline Hetrick, 7, Mayville, 4th, 2nd

Maggie Keefer, 4, West Ellicott, 2nd, 2nd

Abby Long, 10, Randoph, 2nd, 1st

Anya Olson, 7 Chautauqua Lake, 2nd, 1st

Aubrey Olson, 9, Chautauqua Lake, 1st, 3rd

Hadley Olson, 7, Dewittville, 1st, 5th

Vivyanne Pattyson, 6, Central Christian Academy, Dunkirk, 2nd, 4th

Ava Rough-Pihl, 7, Jamestown, 2nd , 3rd

Mariah Schwerk, 11, Southwestern Middle School, 4th, 2nd

Sadie Sturzenbecker, 4, Northern Chautauqua Catholic School, Dunkirk, 5th , 2nd

Victoria Smith, 16, Southwestern, Lakewood, 1st, 2nd