Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Equestrian Finds Success Amidst Covid-19
August 18, 2020 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Oklahoma State's Equestrian riders have kept busy by finding success in the show ring.
Twelve Cowgirls represented OSU's Jumping Seat Team this summer across the country. Senior Amanda Atkins, juniors Katie Pelzel and Sydnie Ziegler, sophomores Josie Elliot, Lauren Jost and Hope King, along with incoming freshman Dawson Amick, Elizabeth Carter, Hannah Dodd, Paige Jones, Grace McReynolds and Ella Reinauer all competed.
Atkins, a two-time captain for the Cowgirls, enjoyed success at the Colorado Horse Park after two years away from the show ring as she won the Junior-Amateur Medal during Summer in the Rockies II.
Pelzel competed in her home state of Colorado at Estes Park during the CHJA Copper Penny Horse Shows, earning Champion in the Adult Equitation for two weeks. Pelzel also won an Equitation classic and jumped a clear round in the mini Prix during week 2.
Ziegler competed in Asbury, N.J. on a catch ride at The Ridge at Riverview Summer Spectacular – Week 1, winning and placing second in the Level 0 jumpers.
Elliot competed in her home state of Virginia at Rose Mount Farm during Summer Week 1, winning Champion in the 18-35 Amateur-Owner Hunters.
Jost also competed in her home state at the Colorado Horse Park during Summer in the Rockies VII, placing third in the High Adult Classic.
King kept busy by competing in South Carolina at the NCHJA Annual Show, located at Bruce's Field in Aiken, S.C. She placed10th in the USHJA National Hunter Derby, won the Ariat Adult Medal, was Reserve Champion in the Bryan Jones Adult Medal Final and was Champion in the Adult Hunters.
Amick found success in her home state of North Carolina. The future Cowgirl won the NAL/WIHS High Adult Classic during Summer 2 and placed in the top three for three additional weeks. Amick also finished with top placings in the Adult Medals and won multiple hunter classes, including the NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic during Summer 6.
Carter placed second in the VHSA Adult Flat Finals and second in the VHSA Adult Medal Finals at the Lexington National Horse Show in Lexington, Va.
Dodd competed for two weeks at HITS Chicago, located at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill., with three different horses. During Summertime I, she was Champion in the Low Jr/AO jumpers, third in the JR/AO classic and Champion in the 3'6" Junior Hunters. Dodd also won the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay, the WIHS Hunter Phase with a score of 88 and the WIHS Jumper Phase, and she was first in the overall for the WIHS.
During Summertime II, Dodd was the reserve champion in the Low Jr/AO jumpers, including a win in the speed class, Champion in the 3'6" Junior Hunters and won the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay and the WIHS Hunter Phase. She placed second in the WIHS Jumper Phase and won the overall for the WIHS. Dodd then continued to compete in Iowa, where she was again Champion in the Low Jr/AO Jumpers, Champion in the 3'6" Junior Hunters with a win in the classic and first in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt Seat Medal during Two Rivers Summer Festival I.
Paige Jones found success competing in Skillman, N.J., at Princeton Jumping Show. She was second in a Medium JR/AO class and was second in the Medium Jr/AO Classic and at the Princeton Classic Finale Charity Show. Jones also earned her third second-place finish in a Medium JR/AO class and was fifth in the Medium.
McReynolds competed in her home state at the Colorado Horse Park winning the summer in the Rockies II, $5,000 Hunter Derby, as well as another $5,000 from Hunter Derby during Two Rivers Summer Festival I.
