After finishing its third Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) District 6 meet, the W.F. West High School Equestrian Team is sending 16 of its 21 athletes to compete at the state level.
W.F. West also captured the large team trophy.
The W.F. West High School Equestrian Team includes students from several schools, including Onalaska, Napavine, Adna, Winlock, Toledo, Centralia and Mossyrock.
“Our athletes are a great bunch of ladies that are dedicated to this sport and it shows,” a news release stated. “Many cold practices, late nights at meets and tough competition is what motivates these athletes to take their four-legged partners and compete at the highest level they can.”
Below is a list of the athletes and how they placed in District 6 competition. These athletes are moving on to compete at the state level in Moses Lake on May 16 to May 19.
• Hunt seat over fences — Navea Dunn took gold
• Driving — Kylee Smith took gold
• Stock seat equitation — Amelia Venters took silver
• Figure eight — Shaylie Flanery took bronze and Cyndle Haller placed fifth
• Pole bending — Kylee Smith took bronze and Shaylee Flanery placed sixth
• Canadian flags — Team A, composed of Preslee Hellem, Cyndle Haller, Shaylie Flanery and Katelyn Dipo, took gold. Team C, composed of Hailee Hellem, Shanelle Mathus, Violet Ratkie and Amelia Venters, took bronze.
• Showmanship — Maizy Samuelson placed fourth
• In hand trail obstacle relay: Team A, composed of Izzy Thompson, Navea Dunn, Maizy Samuelson and Shaylie Flanery, took gold
• Trail equitation — Amelia Venters took silver and Maizy Samuelson won bronze
• Individual flags — Hailee Hellem took bronze and Shanelle Mathus placed fourth
• Dressage — Amelia Venters took gold and Maizy Samuelson took silver
• Working pairs — Team C, Emma Engstrom and Amelia Venters took silver
• Hunt seat equitation — Amelia Venters took silver
• Saddle seat equitation — Izzy Thompson took silver
• Large drill — Preslee, Hailee and Jaydean Hellem, Cyndle Haller, Shaylie Flanery, Shanelle Mathus, Sam Barber, Maizy Thompson, Amelia Venters and Katelyn Dipo took gold
• Breakaway roping — Leslie Gornia took gold, Cyndle Haller took silver and Preslee Hellem took bronze
• Steer daubing — Katelyn Dipo took bronze
• Working rancher — Maizy Samuelson took gold
• Overall high point reserve for performance — Amelia Venters
• High point versatility — Kylee Smith received an embroidered bridle bag
Qualifying members of the team will compete against the best of all seven districts in Washington. The Pacific Northwest Invitational Championships, where participants will compete against the top riders of Oregon in Moses Lake, will be held June 14 to June 16.
“We want to thank all our sponsors and especially Cascade Hardwoods for their more than generous donation to our team,” the release stated. “Thank you to all our coaches, Lea Elder-Gaming, Jessica Steward-Performance and Crusi Joblonski-Drill and cows, for their endless time, patience and generosity. Thank you to all the parents for raising such wonderful athletes, volunteering and transporting your athletes to and from. Let's go Bearcats!”
