Katy, TX – The young riders were the ones to beat in Thursday, February 23’s $25,000 Double Oak Tack Grand Prix at the Great Southwest Texas Winter Series in Katy, TX. Following a five-horse jump-off, the top two spots went to 20-year-olds Avery Erickson and John Gilpin, respectively.
“It was awesome [to win],” said Erickson, who, along with Gilpin, trains with Colleen Acosta at Fairway Farm. “[Chacco Lait]’s been so good these past two weeks, so it’s really nice to pull it all together. I loved today’s track. The jump-off was perfect for him. There weren’t really any tight turns, it was just galloping around, and he was amazing. He’s great at that. He likes to just gallop and run around. That’s his favorite.”
Erickson has been partnered with Chacco Lait, her 16-year-old Oldenburg gelding, for nearly five years, and together the duo has climbed the ranks from the Low Junior Jumpers to the grand prix ring.
“I know him like the back of my hand,” said Erickson. “He tries really hard for me. As he gets older, it’s crazy, he just keeps jumping better.”
Following her win on Thursday, the sophomore at Southern Methodist University now has her sights set on the finale event of the Texas Winter Series at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center: Saturday night’s $100,000 Lone Star State Grand Prix.
For full results of the $25,000 Double Oak Tack Grand Prix, click here.