Four members of the Hockinson High School equestrian team won gold medals during the Washington High School Equestrian Teams state championships, helping the Hawks to finish as the top team their size in the state.
Tasha Grinde, Karen Wirth, Megan Phillips and Lindsey Morris placed first in events at the meet, which took place May 12-15 at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake.
Washougal’s Shelby Valaer was the other gold medalist from Clark County at the state meet, placing first in the trail event.
For Hockinson, Grinde won the break-away event. She also placed among the top 10 in barrels and in steer daubing. Wirth won the driving competition and was top-10 in the trail and the working rancher events.
Phillips won the over fences event for the Hawks, and Morris won the stock seat competition.
Hockinson’s Riley Bylsma took second in hunt seat competition. Hawks senior Brynn Larson was a top-10 performer in showmanship, in trail, and in stock seat. Larson has accepted a scholarship to compete for the New Mexico State equestrian team in college.
Battle Ground’s Larissa Marini participated in five events at state, helping the Tigers’ Canadian flags team earn a bronze medal. Marini, the high point performer from District 4 this season for gaming events, also earned a $500 scholarship from WAHSET, which governs high school equestrian events in Washington.
Prairie’s Jacob Heiser collected individual medals in break-away and in working rancher. Falcons Alex Barber (stock seat) and Jeffrey Wallace (reining) earned bronze medals. Prairie teams earned a silver medal in working pairs and a bronze medal in drill.
For Camas High, McKenzie Kuhlman earned a bronze medal for the in-hand trail event.
In addition to the gold medal in trail, Washougal’s Valaer placed sixth in saddle seat. The Panthers’ drill team placed third.
Courtney Erickson of Ridgefield participated in four events at state, and was recognized as the District 4 overall combination high-point scorer.
A complete list of Clark County results from the state meet is in the Community Sports Scoreboard.
