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Wednesday, August 2, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Sisters rider jumps into competition at High Desert Classic
By Jim Cornelius
News Editor
Some of the finest eques-
trians in North America head
to Bend each year in July to
compete in the High Desert
Classic — a fundraiser for
the programs of J Bar J Youth
Ranch.
Among them this year
was 13-year-old Sisters rider
Alessandra Wentworth, rid-
ing her 10-year-old thorough-
bred Making Change, better
known as Penny. They had a
very successful run, gather-
ing ribbons with finishes in
second, fourth, fifth and sixth
places in various events dur-
ing the first weekend of com-
petition in the two-weekend
event.
The pair jumped obstacles
at a height of two feet seven
inches.
“We started low and
built up through the week,”
Wentworth said.
Big barns from all over
the West and Canada come to
Bend for the event, bringing
riders at all levels, from rid-
ers in their first event to some
of the most elite competitors
in the sport of hunter/jumper
competition.
We n t w o r t h — t h e
daughter of Jeanne and David
Wentworth of Sisters — rides
for JGW Ranch in Tumalo,
under the coaching of trainer
Cindy Shonka. She’s owned
Penny for about a year, and
the horse and rider have
formed a bond.
“I have really found that
it’s easy to connect with my
horse,” she said. “You have
to know how to ride her. I’ve
never ridden a horse like her
before.”
The horse has smarts and
energy.
“We were building up to
that show with all my other
shows,” she said. “She was
a lot more experienced than
we’d expected.”
There is nothing quite like
the sensation of soaring over
a series of obstacles in part-
nership with a horse.
“I love to jump,”
Wentworth said. “You can
kind of move for the horse
and with the horse… If you
do it right, it feels like you’re
flying, honestly.”
Being deeply involved
with horses is not all glamor-
ous events and soaring sen-
sations. It’s a LOT of work
PHOTO PROVIDED
Alessandra Wentworth and Penny have formed a strong bond that helps them soar together over jumps in
competition.
“I love music and art, but I becoming an equine chiro-
— and Alessandra puts in her
share. She’s at the barn all haven’t had much time to do practor. In the more immedi-
ate future, she’s already get-
day on most summer days, them myself,” she said.
Wentworth’s future defi- ting back, honing her skills
and she’s taking care of a
Clydesdale to earn money to nitely includes work with — and preparing for next
help keep her in the game. horses — she’s interested in year’s High Desert Classic.
The horses keep her very
busy — too busy to pursue
other passions.
Home is where the heart is
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Join SPRD for their 4th Annual
HAWAIIAN LUAU
Presented by the Rotary Club of Sisters
Th urs., Aug. 10 • 6-8 p.m.
At Village Green City Park
$12 adult/$5 youth
Must purchase tickets in advance from SPRD
Last-Minute
Guide Trips?
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trips available on
rivers, streams &
beautiful lakes.
151 W. Main Ave., Sisters
541-549-FISH | Open 7 days a week
FOOD & FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Black Out
Golf Tournament
August 21 st at 8 AM
Join us for Totality with a
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Hula dancers, authentic Hawaiian cuisine & music
combine to make a great community event.
Enjoy Kalua Pig, Lomi Lomi Salmon,
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Entertainment will include special guest artists
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Th e Sisters Ukulele Club, Halau Uhane Hawaii,
Kurt Silva, and DJ Chuck Boogie.
View activities & classes, and register online!
www.SistersRecreation.com
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