Friday, Nov. 25, 2011

McPherson overcomes pain, earns another gymkhana belt

Wins equestrian series in Livingston

Just a couple of months after earning a belt in the Los Banos gymkhana series, LB native Jessica McPherson has added another -- this one from the gymkhana series held at KC Arena in Livingston.

The series runs monthly from April, with the last event in November.

"The last day she didn't do so great," said McPherson mother, Lara Olson. "But luckily she had enough points gathered that she had it won."

An off day can be excused, though, for a girl riding mere weeks after fracturing her shoulder after a fall at a high school rodeo in Oakdale. McPherson also rides in the junior high division of California high school rodeo's District 5.

"She's always lifting and pulling on the reins, and that makes it harder," Olson said. "She was in a lot of pain, but she cowgirled up.

"She finished the rodeo that weekend. We didn't know it was broken, she just got back on her horse. Her doctor wasn't happy with me."

In the more competitive world of rodeo, McPherson competes in barrel racing, pole bending and goat tying. Gymkhana's events are more about how a horse and rider work together.

"She loves it. She wants to do it for a lifetime," Olson said. "She wants to go to Cal Poly for the equestrian team."

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at (209) 388-6565 or by email at sports@losbanosenterprise.com.

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at (209) 388-6565 or by email at sports@losbanosenterprise.com.