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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2016)
24 Wednesday, December 7, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sisters youth excels in dressage By Jodi Schneider McNamee Correspondent When 9-year-old Lauren Martin asked for riding les- sons at a small dressage barn in Salem three years ago, she had no idea that her love of horses would lead her on a whirlwind journey of events that would change her life. Today, at 12 years old, Martin is an accomplished dressage rider with local, regional, and national honors to her credit. Dressage is a French term meaning “training” and its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic abil- ity and willingness to work, making him calm, supple, and attentive to his rider. “It was my friend from school and a neighbor that were taking riding lessons that inspired me to do the same,” Martin said. Then after taking rid- ing lessons for about a year Martin connected with her aunt, Tina Billings in Tumalo, at her cousin’s wedding. Billings’ background cen- ters around horses and riding dressage. “Lauren and Tina had so much in common about horses. They really hit it off,” said Nichole Martin, Lauren’s mother. One month after the wed- ding the Martins received a phone call from Billings. She C had found a horse that might be perfect for Martin to ride. “Tina and I bought the rescue horse,” Nichole said. “It was a spontaneous deci- sion and I didn’t tell Lauren right away. The Arabian pinto horse stayed at Tina’s barn and we named him Charlie, since Lauren always wanted a horse with that name. Billings and Martin hired a trainer that was willing to work with Charlie. “We wanted to make sure he would be safe for Lauren to ride.” During that year, the Martins met Natalie Perry, a professional dressage trainer in Tumalo, who really fit the bill for young Lauren. “I asked Natalie if she would train Lauren in dres- sage,” Martin said. Although Perry does not have many junior riders, she saw potential in Lauren. Martin was attending ele- mentary school in Salem at the time and they drove over two hours to Tumalo for les- sons with Perry and drove back. For six months the Martins commuted, and then last year Nichole made the decision to move closer to Tumalo so her daughter could continue with her career in dressage. In March 2015 Martin found an apartment in Sisters. And Lauren began her journey testing the waters in the world N ING SE RV ICE A E L S Specializing In: Window & Screen Cleaning Home & Rental Cleaning of dressage with Charlie. “Perry began getting Lauren’s feet wet by taking her to some local dressage shows in Central Oregon. Then her dressage training began, but last May with the season opener less than a week away Charlie broke his leg and we had to put him down,” Martin said. However, one month prior, an owner of a retired Friesian dressage horse named Pyter came to Perry’s barn in Tumalo looking to sell him. Perry took into consideration that Pyter might be the perfect horse for Lauren since he was experienced in dressage. “Natalie and I bought the horse to help teach Lauren more about dressage,” Martin said. “It was all very strange how things turned out. We all tried to focus on the positive.” The Martins were faced with a tragedy and Lauren chose to keep on going. “Mom called the show manager and they switched the horse that I was to ride to Pyter. I had only ridden Pyter eight times, but I took him to my very first local show in Tumalo, the ‘Spring Fling’ season opener, last minute,” Martin said. It was her first big win. Not only did Martin win her class, but had the highest Our Gift to You! Complimentary scalp massage and hydrating hair mask with any service. PHOTO PROVIDED Pyter and Lauren victory lap in Devonwood Northwest Championships. score for the whole season for the local chapter of dressage for junior young riders. Pyter became her closest companion, and she spent four to five hours a day in the barn training and has continued with bigger dressage shows with Perry as her trainer. “Lauren is committed to the sport of dressage and her horse. She puts in time and energy in and out of the barn, which helps her become a better rider and partner with Pyter. She is driven to become the best she can be while maintaining the health and comfort of her horse, which will make her more successful in the dressage arena,” Perry said. Martin has been home- schooling Lauren since mov- ing to Sisters to continue her rigorous training schedule. See DRESSAGE on page 26 Book Now to GLOW For The Holidays Hair • Facials Nails • Massage Makeup 541-549-1784 161-C N. Elm St. Gift Certifi cates Available! Make Reservations for Christmas Day Brunch. CALL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE! 541.516.3030 JEFF BLAKE • 541-549-0897 lakecreeklodge.com 541-588-6611 I NSURED , L ICENSED & B ONDED 220 W. Cascade Ave. Come in, Relax, Enjoy! 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