Equestrian sports: Sequim riders earn high marks at first district meet

By Michael Dashiell • February 14, 2024 1:30 am
Photo by Katie Salmon-Newton Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe (on Sophie) and Sydney Hutton (on Ginger) compete in the first district meet of the season in January.
Photo by Katie Salmon-Newton Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe (on Sophie) and Sydney Hutton (on Ginger) compete in the first district meet of the season in January.

Sequim Equestrian Team members started the 2024 season strong with 12 first-place marks and 34 top-five finishes at the team’s first District 4 meet, held in Jan. 25-28 at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma.

Asha Swanberg picked up four top placings in timed events (barrels, figure eight, keyhole and pole bending) and teamed up with Libby Swanberg to take first in working pairs.

Also earning first place finishes were Sydney Hutton in jumping, Taylor Lewis in stock seat, Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe, in saddle seat, Libby Swanberg in individual flags, Kennedy Gilbertson, and Paige Reed in bi-rangle, Sequim’s drill freestyle fours (Lewis, Middleton-Sharpe, Lily Meyer and Joanna Seelye) and Sequim’s versatility team (Gilbertson, Reed, Libby Swanberg and Celbie Karjalainen).

The Sequim Equestrian Team’s 2024 roster includes Kennedy Gilbertson, Sydney Hutton, Celbie Karjalainen, Taylor Lewis, Lily Meyer, Paige Reed, Joanna Seelye, Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe, Asha Swanberg, Libby Swanberg and Maggie Wakefield.

Sequim’s new head coach is former state equestrian champion Ady Crosby, backed by administrative coach Misty Gilbertson, drill team coach Katie Salmon-Newton, performance coach Natalie Blankenship and advisor Bettina Hoesel.

The next district meet is set for Feb. 22-25, also in Elma, with a third district meet in Elma from April 11-14.

First district meet results

• Performance

Dressage — 4. Sydney Hutton, 5. Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe

Hunt seat — 14. Taylor Lewis

IHOR (In-Hand Obstacle Relay) — 5. Lewis-Middleton-Sharpe-Celbie Karjalainen-Lily Meyer

In-Hand Trail — 5. Lewis

Jumping — 1. Hutton

Reining — 2. Libby Swanberg

Saddle seat — 1. Middleton-Sharpe, 2. Hutton

Showmanship — 6. Lewis, 6. Middleton-Sharpe, 16. Karjalainen

Stock seat — 1. Lewis, 7. Karjalainen

Trail equitation — 5. Karjalainen

Versatility — 1. Karjalainen-L. Swanberg-Kennedy Gilbertson-Paige Reed

Working Pairs — 1. Asha Swanberg-Libby Swanberg

Working Rancher — 4. Meyer-Joanna Seelye

• Cattle events/drill teams

Breakaway roping — 3. L. Swanberg

Daubing — 3. L. Swanberg, 4. A. Swanberg, 6. Gilbertson, 9. Middleton-Sharpe

Drill Freestyle Fours — 1. Lewis-Meyer-Seelye-Middleton-Sharpe

Team storing — 3. Lewis-Meyer, 4. A. Swanberg-L. Swanberg, 8. Gilbertson-Reed, 18. Middleton-Sharpe-Seelye

• Timed events

Barrels — 1. A. Swanberg, 3. Reed, 8. Karjalainen, 12. Seelye

Bi-rangle — 1. Gilbertson-Reed, 2. A. Swanberg-L. Swanberg, 4. Middleton-Sharpe-Seelye, 10. Hutton-Karjalainen

Figure 8 — 1. A. Swanberg, 2. Gilbertson, 5. L. Swanberg, 6. Middleton-Sharpe, 14. Seelye

Individual flags — 1. L. Swanberg, 2. A. Swanberg, 4. Seelye, 10. Gilbertson

Keyhole — 1. A. Swanberg, 2. Gilbertson, 3. Middleton-Sharpe, 4. L. Swanberg

Pole Bending — 1. A. Swanberg, 14. Seelye.

Photo by Cassie Karjalainen / Ady Crosby, Ellie Karjalainen and Anna Swanberg show off Sequim Equestrian Team spirit wear.

Photo by Cassie Karjalainen / Ady Crosby, Ellie Karjalainen and Anna Swanberg show off Sequim Equestrian Team spirit wear.