AUBURN, Ala. – It has been a successful summer for members of the Auburn equestrian team and it's time for an update with our Jumping Seat competitors.
Representing the Tigers this summer so far has been fifth-year senior Taylor St. Jacques, seniors Meghan Knapic and Haylee Jerkins, sophomores Ellie Ferrigno, Grace Pearson and Helen Lohr and incoming freshmen Anna Marie Mayes and Liv Kohus.
St. Jacques, who finished the 2020-21 season undefeated, was the winner of the $100,000 CS12* Grand Prix at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic. The Glen Allen, Va., native competed in the event in Lexington, Ky., June 9-13.
Sophomore Ellie Ferrigno had a big win at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show. Competing during the second week (May 18-23) in North Salem, N.Y., Ferrigno took home the Governor's Perpetual Hunt Seat Cup for Junior/Young riders.
Senior Meghan Knapic has earned a handful of wins so far this season. The Smithtown, N.Y., product was winner of Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Horse Show. The annual show was held n Saugerties, N.Y. Knapic also was winner of the Adult Jumper Classic and champion in the Adult Equitation and Adult Jumpers.
Picking up multiple championships in adult hunters was sophomore Grace Pearson. The Seattle, Wash., product has competed in California and Oregon all summer, earning reserve champion in the Adult Equitation at the HMI Equestrian Challenge in Sonoma, Calif., May 19-23.
Incoming freshman Anna Marie Mayes was a two-time winner in Memphis at the Germantown Charity Horse Show. She won the $5,000 Gambler's Choice and $5,000 1.30 A/O Classic, June 8-12.
Liv Kohus, another incoming freshman, was the winner at the USHJA National Derby during week one of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington. She was also the winner of the Maclay and champion in the 15-17 Equitation during week two of the same horse show.
Sophomore Helen Lohr had success at the James River Hunt Horse Show in Spotsylvania, Va., earning grand champion in the amateur owners. The competition was held May 14-16.
Soon-to-be senior Haylee Jerkins also spent time in Lexington at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic, earning champion in the Intermediate Adult Hunters during week one and reserve champion in week two.