Local riders do well at national o-mok-see

Several area riders earned honors at the 2002 National Championship O-Mok-See, the 37th annual pattern horse-racing championship held in Gillette, Wyo., July 14-19. It drew 305 contestants, who set 32 records in heat of more than 100 degrees.

Tisa Seiler, 11, of Havre placed in eight events while competing for a Glasgow saddle club, placing seventh overall in the 8-11 age category. Seiler took third in the half eight competition, fourth in the figure eight, fifth in pole bending and Western jumping, sixth in the flag race and arena race, seventh in the clover leaf and 10th in polo turn.

Cody McLean, 14, placed in nine events competing for the Hi-Line Saddle Club, earning sixth place in the 12-15 age group. McLean took first in the barrel and stake competition, third in pole bending, fourth in cloverleaf, fourth in Western jumping and the exchange race, fifth in two-barrel flag, eighth in tomahawk, and 10th in key race and figure eight.

Kelly Pursley of the Big Sandy Saddle Club placed in nine events, earning fifth place in the 16-39 age group. Pursley took third in Western jumping and two-barrel flag, fifth in speed barrel, express rescue and team arena, sixth in flag race, seventh in figure eight, ninth in polo turn and 10th in the exchange race.

Diane McLean of the Hi-Line Saddle Club placed in eight events, earning seventh in the 40-plus age category. McLean took second in polo turn, third in the keg race, fourth in the figure eight and arena race, fifth in Western jumping, sixth in the half eight, and seventh in speed barrels and the flag race.

Tim McLean set a new record when he took first in the cloverleaf for ages 12-15. McLean's record was 17.799 seconds. He also took fourth in the exchange race, sixth in the keg race and eighth in two-barrel flag and the speed barrels.

Laceen Ophus of the Big Sandy Saddle Club took fifth in polo turns and express rescue, ninth in the keg race and 10th in the half eight and exhange race.

John McLean took seventh in the half eight for ages 8-11.