Sequim equestrians compete at first meet

Published 12:36 pm Wednesday, February 24, 2016

They’re off and reining … and sorting … and daubing.

Sequim equestrians kicked off their 2016 season at the Washington State High School Equestrian Team District 4 meet, held Jan. 29-31 in Spanaway, along with more than 100 other competitors.

Sequim’s team posted six top-five placings, with their Drill Team Working Fours squad of Kelly Anders, Sydney Balkan, Amanda Murphy and Abi Payseno taking second place. Payseno took third in Individual Flags and fourth in Pole Bending, while Anders was fourth in Reining.

Anders and Murphy teamed up to take fourth in Cattle Sorting, and Haylie Newton was fifth in Steer Daubing.

Sequim’s team competes in the second district meet set for Feb. 26-28.

Sequim’s results of the first district meet are below (top 20 placings only)

• Individual events

Dressage — 9. Haylie Newton, 13. Sydney Balkan, 15. Amanda Murphy

Figure Eight — 15. Abi Payseno

Individual Flags — 3. Payseno, 8. Balkan

Pole Bending — 4. Payseno

Reining — 4. Kelly Anders

Saddleseat — 6. Anders, 9. Murphy

Showmanship — 20. Murphy

Steer Daubing —  5. Newton, 6. Balkan, 14. Anders, 17. Murphy

• Team events

Birangle — 18. Balkan and Payseno

Cattle Sorting — 4. Anders and Murphy, 9. Balkan and Yana Hoesel

Drill Team Working Fours — 2. Anders, Balkan, Murphy, Payseno

In Hand Obstacle Relay — 12. Anders, Hoesel, Murphy, Newton

Working Pairs —  9. Anders and Balkan, 10. Murphy and Miranda Williams.