Sagebrush riders show well in Boise
The Sagebrush riding team not only needed a horse trailer to transport their mounts to the Special Olympics in Boise they needed a rig to haul their medals back as well. (Courtesy photo)
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Every major sporting event has a motto and the tenet of the Special Olympics is one that speaks to all athletes.
?Let me win. And if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.?
Local riders from Sagebrush Arena embodied that creed at a Special Olympics equestrian competition in Boise, October 8-10.
The equestrian event was part of the 2004 State Fall Games, which attracted 658 Gem State athletes from 36 teams statewide.
The horse show was the final event of the season for the 13 Sagebrush riders and a memorable one at that.
Top event winners were Shirrl Jones and Robert Olson, who guided their mounts to three gold medals apiece.
Two gold medals, silver and a bronze went to Carl Sluder.
Kayla Ayala collected two gold medals and a silver. Sheena Prock was even across the board with gold, silver, and bronze-medal performances.
Grant Swindle took two golds and one bronze.
Robert Brashears, Dusty Buggie, Thomas Atkinson, and Jerry Smith all garnered two gold medals and a fourth-place finish.
KT Gammon won one silver medal and two bronze. Lupe Velasco rode to one silver and two bronze. Nathan Lago earned two silver medals and a fourth.
The 13 Sagebrush riders, eight men and five women, shared seven horses. Coaches Kelly Cole, Lisa Scales and Christie Berrett transported the mounts. Volunteers, including coach Wendy Collins, also played a big part in the team?s success. The group included Hugh Blue, Judy Grigsby, Perry Soleberg, Lois Rosen, Pam Goetz, Dawn Nalder, Linda Drake, Tiffany Lago, Shane Lago, Charlie McWilliams, Nadine McWilliams and Laurie Ellis.
Not only did the Sagebrush team enjoy three days of competition, members took in a show at the Idaho Center in Nampa and attended a victory dance at Capital High School.
