AUBURN, Ala. – Members of the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team had a bunch of success not only with the team, but away from the Plains as well this semester.
Representing the Jumping Seat side of competition was Paige Matthies, Alex Pielet, Anna Claire Smith, Taylor St. Jacques and Ava Stearns. Recent signee Ellie Ferrigno also enjoyed a successful fall.
Stearns had an outstanding fall both with the Tigers and away, seeing national success all over. The Chilmark, Mass., product finished as reserve champion at the USEF Talent Search Finals East, Oct. 4-6, and followed with another reserve champion finish at the WIHS Junior Equitation Final, Oct. 26.
Stearns, who is 8-1-0 overall in jumping seat as a freshman, also finished seventh at the USEF Medal Finals (Oct. 13) before winning the Maclay Finals (Nov. 3).
Freshman Paige Matthies was successful at the Washington International Hose Show (WIHS), winning the High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. The Lake Leelanau, Mich., native also picked up a pair of reserve champion finishes this fall. Her first came at the North American Junior Equitation Championship (Sept. 29) with the next in Junior/Amateur Jumpers at the National Horse Show (Oct. 30-Nov. 3).
Alex Pielet, a freshman from Highland Park, Ill., added to her list of accomplishments including a reserve champion finish in High Junior/Amateur Jumpers at WIHS. In addition, she took home 10th at the Maclay Finals, eighth in Junior Equitation Finals at WIHS and finished in the Top 25 at the USEF Medal Finals.
Junior Taylor St. Jacques continued to excel both for Auburn and away from the Plains. The Glen Allen, Va., product picked up a pair of wins, including a championship finish in the Junior/Amateur Jumpers at the National Horse Show. She was also winner of the $25,000 SJHF Grand Prix at the National Horse Show.
Ellie Ferrigno boosted her resume as the 2020-21 signee was named winner of the USEF Talent Search Finals East. In addition, Ferrigno finished 10th at the USEF Medal Finals.
Anna Claire Smith was successful at the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals, earning reserve champion. The senior from Atlanta has been a major contributor to Auburn's success this fall, picking up three big wins in Flat for the Tigers.