Heavy medal
Sagebrush Arena
team riders make off with the hardware at Special Olympics
Local
riders got a chance to strut their stuff at the Idaho State Special
Olympics in Boise, Oct. 4-6.
Sagebrush
Arena in Hailey was represented by 10 equestrians, who collected a total
of 27 medals against 142 participants from 17 teams across the Gem
State.
Sagebrush
captain Bobby Brashears relaxes with team horse, Camo
Shirrl
Jones was a three-time gold medalist in Western Equitation, Pole Bending
and Barrel Racing.
Grant
Swindle was another triple-winner, with gold medals in Western
Equitation, Working Trails and Team Relay.
Sheena
Prock was a two-time gold medalist in Western Equitation and Working
Trails, and was awarded the silver medal in Team Relay.
Abraham
Krahn won the gold medal in Working Trails, and a pair of silver medals
for his other two events.
Lacia
Bravo won two golds in Working Trails and Western Horsemanship, and a
bronze in Team Relay.
Team
captain Bobby Brashears rode to gold and performed well enough to earn
two silver medals, as well.
A medal
of each color – gold, silver and bronze – went to Ben Doan in his
events.
Kaitlin
Gammon was awarded a silver medal and two bronze medals.
Lupe
Velasco won gold, silver and rode to fifth place.
Javier
Peinado was both a gold and silver medalist and also collected fifth
place.
It was a
giant weekend with not only the competition, but a big dance on Saturday
night and housing at the Gowen Field barracks.
"Special
Olympics provided housing, food, and transportation to the
fairgrounds," said Kristy Pigeon of the Sagebrush Equine Training
Center.
The
Sagebrush support staff included Wendy Collins, Lisa Scales, Christie
Barrett and Kelly Cole. Volunteers were Hugh Blue, Pam Goetz, Judy
Grigsby, Jennifer Leibrum, Ariana Ward, Steve Campion, Terri Bravo,
Nadine and Charlie McWilliams. The team’s uniforms were provided by
Red Robin Hamburgers, Inc.