AUBURN, Ala. – Members of the Auburn equestrian team have been able to compete this summer and have found a wealth of success away from the Plains.
Representing the Jumping Seat side of competition were seniors Ericka Koscinski and Helen Ulrich, juniors Jessica West, Meghan Knapic and Haylee Jerkins, sophomores Lily Beatty, Paige Matthies and Mary McDaniel and incoming freshmen Libby Bertelsen, Samantha Briggs, Genevieve Cullen and Ellie Ferrigno
Matthies, who is coming off a successful freshman season in 2019-20, jumped a double clear in the 2* Welcome Stake and finished eighth at the Great lakes Equestrian Festival in Michigan. In addition, she was the winner of the Taylor Harris NHS Adult Medal three weeks in a row.
Also coming off a solid season in 2019-20 was Knapic, who continued her success in at the HITS Saugerties Series in New York. She was the winner of the National Hunter Derby and came in fifth in the International Hunter Derby.
Joining in the success in New York was Koscinski. The rising senior took home the 3' Hunter Derby at Old Salem Farm.
Newcomers Cullen and Ferrigno have put together a solid summer leading up to their freshmen campaigns at Auburn. Ferrigno was the ASPCA Maclay winner at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, July 24. Cullen was the champion in Children's Hunters and finished second in the Classic at the Swan Lake Horse Show in Littlestown, Pa.
Ulrich had success in her home state, winning the Adult Hunter Classic in Tryon, N.C., while also being named champion in Adult Hunters, June 28. West also competed in Tryon, N.C., and was named the champion in Adult Equitation by winning all three classes at Tryon Summer, July 17.
Newcomers Briggs and Bertelsen also have had success in Tryon. Briggs won the Low Amateur Speed class, while Bertelsen was second in the High Children's Jumper Classic during the fourth and sixth week of the Tryon Summer Circuit.
McDaniel had a handful of top finishes under her belt this summer in Virginia. She was reserve champion in Adult Hunters at HITS Culpeper, while taking the VHSA Adult Medal crown and second in the Ariat Adult Medal at Rosemount Farm.
Beatty enjoyed a successful summer in her home state of Florida, winning the Adult Medal as well as Adult Hunters at the Palm Beach County Horse Show. Jerkins, also competing in Florida, was the reserve champion in Adult Hunters at ESP II in Wellington.
