22 Wednesday, September 28, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon HOOFBEATS: A Sisters rider explores the Mongolian steppe LuTE CONCERT: Event is free to the public in Sisters Continued from page 21 Continued from page 3 years ago, Keith watched Blue Roan, loaded with packs, slip and go down in high water. He almost rolled, but made it to a shallows and stood there shaking. Scared. Big Dirty Face, also packing that trip, had been watching, too. As Keith was deciding at what moment to ride back out into the current for the roan, Big Dirty Face waded out to Blue Roan and guided him to the bank. Keith and Sabine have huge respect and love for their horses. Like most horses in Mongolia, when not with their humans the horses roam free, grazing on the grass and herbs of high-country pas- tures. Half wild. And their wildness enables them to face predators and withstand harsh Mongolian winters. Being in a herd, unconfined, living more like their ancestors did, also gives them a healthier mindset. Sabine and Keith rode their favorites, Sabine in the maiden voyage of a saddle she made for herself. Their horses are “sarul grey,” what we call grulla, and have a roman nose; seems those characteristics turn out a horse of tremendous stamina even by Mongolian standards. More than the stamina and willingness, though, Sabine and Keith treasure the con- nection that these horses have to the earth. To the wil- derness and their place in it. And horses have some way of sharing this connection with their human companions. Most especially, Keith and Sabine love the freedom of being in the wildlands of Mongolia. Vast landscapes. Challenging riding. Self- reliance. Navigable only by foot. No fences. In many ways, it resembles North America 200 years ago. While we packed camp, Keith pointed out well- ensconced lichen-covered rocks forming a rim around a slumped pile and sev- eral other small rock piles. Purposely placed, about 2,500 years ago. A burial ground. The smaller piles often cover horse heads, as sometimes the deceased’s horses would be sent with him. As the rumble of hooves perhaps rattled the bones in the graves, Keith wondered if “the horse culture to whom the graves belong would appreciate the sound of hoof beats overhead, stirring their hearts for their beloved crea- tures… It’s what I would like over my own grave.” We moved on, riding fur- ther into this adventure. 12 years old, she claimed the Outstanding Performance Award of the Art Cup international Chinese tra- ditional instruments con- test. At the age of 16, her music was recorded and published by New Era Sound & Video Company of guangzhou and Nanjing Video Publishing House of China. These recordings are used for future generations of music students to study as ideal renditions of these pieces. As a concert soloist, Zhou Yi has toured Europe, Asia, and North America. Zhou Yi is a co-founder of the Ba Ban Chinese Music Society of New York. She also plays the qin (zither), liuqin (high-pitched lute), ruan (alto lute), sanxian (three-stringed lute) as well as the piano. Zhou Yi cur- rently resides in New York City. The event will be a night of cultural exchange for Sisters. “I’m having the three Chinese teachers pre- pare some Chinese dump- lings and other eatables to offer free of charge to con- cert attendees in the com- mons prior to the concert,” Perkins said. “Basically, we would like to do a ‘Chinese night’ for the kids and their parents.” Sisters Discover INSIDER’S GUIDE Circle of Friends... photo provided Sisters’ mentorship program Circle of friends celebrated back-to- school time with an event at fir Street park last week. Hats were provided by Heartwarmers and the program gifted the children school supplies from Cindy greer, LSW, and Westside Church. Discover Sisters, The Insider’s Guide is tdking dd spdce reservdtions for our 2016/2017 issue! Fully re-designed into d convenient dnd eye-cdtching pocket-sized booklet! -Published every year prior to the Thanksgiving weekend to take advantage of holiday shoppers and visitors -15,000 copies N EW DESIG N! POCKET-SIZE D BOOKLET! ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES • Full Page + FREE Directory Listing: $595 • Specialty Page Sponsor - $250 (Golf, Winter Sports, Cycling, Events, Camping, Hiking, Fishing, For Kids) • “Gotta Have It” Photo Ad: $150 • Directory Listing & Photo: $125 (Dining, Lodging, The Arts, Salons & Spas, Shopping) - Distributed locally, regionally and mailed out by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce throughout the 2016-17 year, including chambers & welcome centers, merchants and restaurant locations, visitor and tourism associations, lodging, resorts and more. -All the information about Sisters – outdoors and indoors – in one place –Specialty sections, including “Top 20 Things to Do,” spa, golf, arts, trails, sports and more ! 15,000 PUBLISHED Contdct Kdren Kdssy toddy, 541-549-9941 or dds@nuggetnews.com Spdce is limited. This hds sold out every yedr!