The 2009 equestrian season is well under way, and Sequim riders are off to a good start.

The high school squad picked up 24 top-five finishes, including four event titles and eight runner-up placings, at the first state equestrian event March 6-8 at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds in Elma.

"I can’t be more happy – they had a really good meet," coach Terri Winters said. "(It was) a really good way to start off."

Connor Ackley took first in Reining and Cody Chase won In-Hand Trail. Ackley teamed with exchange student Lucas Martins for a win in Steer Sorting while Sequim’s Birangle team of Tori Cantelow and Jessica Holmberg took first as well.

Team finishes are below:

• Individual events (performance)

Showmanship – 2. Cody Chase, 9. Shannon Robbins

In-Hand-Trail – 1. Chase, 4. Tori Cantelow

Trail – 2. Robbins

Working Rancher – 2. Robbins, 3. Connor Ackley, 7. Lucas Martins

Cart Driving – 3. Chase

Stock Seat – 8. Robbins

Reining – 1. Ackley, 10. Martins

• Individual events (timed)

Keyhole – 9. Ashley Priddy, 10. Clara Duncan

Figure Eight – 8. Brooke Stromberg

Flags – 2. Stromberg, 3. Mishel Arthur, 4. Cantelow, 5. Duncan, 7. Priddy

Polebending – 2. Duncan, 6. Jessica Holmberg, 10. Lucas Martins

Barrels – 3. Holmberg, 5. Stromberg

Steer Daubing – 5. Martins, 7. Holmberg, 8. Ackley, 9. Duncan

• Team events

Steer Sorting – 1. Ackley/Martins, 4. Holmberg/Cantelow

Birangle – 1. Holmberg/Cantelow, 3. Duncan/Arthur, 8. Ackley/Martins

In-Hand Obstacle Relay – 2. Chase/Robbins/Martins/Cantelow

Canadian Flags – 2. Duncan/Robbins/Martins/Ackley

Drill Team – 2. Cantelow/Robbins/Holmberg/Priddy/Stromberg/Ackley/Duncan/Arthur

Working Pairs – 4. Robbins/Cantelow