Ava Brown, a junior at Estacada High School and accomplished OHSET competitor, is looking for a suitable new home for her four-year-old mustang horse, Romy. The duo recently achieved strong placements in Romy's first OHSET event of the season despite past challenges. Brown emphasizes finding the right fit for the gentle but sometimes anxious horse.
Ava Brown, a record-holding competitor in the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET) and a junior early college student at Estacada High School, is selling her horse Romy after a successful start to the season. Romy, a four-year-old BLM mustang from the South Steens and a light riding horse standing about 14 hands tall, is described by Brown as a very sweet girl who is willing to learn but can get nervous at times. She thrives with a patient and confident handler and is an easy keeper who goes barefoot.
Last summer, Brown and Romy competed in the Teens and Oregon Mustang Challenge, pushing through an injury setback. During training the previous month, Romy was stung by a horse fly, causing Brown to fall and break her hand. This required two surgeries and three months of recovery, yet the pair continued training and competing.
In early February 2026, at Romy's debut OHSET event, they secured 10th place in showmanship, 2nd in IHOR, and 7th in in-hand trail. "Romy and I have been through so much together — blood, sweat and tears," Brown said. "It was so surreal to see all the work pay off this weekend." She added, "Romy is learning that not everything is so scary — this weekend she overcame a lot of fears with people, horses and loud noises. Once she was in the show ring she was able to relax and pay attention to me."
Brown's credentials include her third season in OHSET, qualifying as a 2025 PNWIC competitor in working pairs and drill, state qualifications in nine events last year and three in 2024, holding the N.E. Oregon District team sorting record, and being the 2025 N.E. Oregon overall performance riding champion. "What I love most about OHSET is getting to work with my horses and seeing the progress in their training by the end of the season," she said.
Romy will continue competing in the 2025/26 OHSET season in events such as showmanship, hand trail, IHOR, and team versatility until sold. Her skills include loading and unloading, hauling well, bathing, standing for the farrier (though she gets nervous), lunging both directions at walk, trot, and lope, being saddled, wearing blankets, respecting hot wire, stall training, trotting on both sides, haunch and forehand turns, setting and backing, crossing bridges and water, and having been flank roped and ponied.
"This horse holds a special place in my heart and will only go to a home that is the best fit for her," Brown said. Interested parties can contact her at 503-936-0586.
