Whitman sophomore Merrill Harvey will be awarded the 2012 Child/Adult Jumper Championship trophy by the Long Island Professional Horsemen's Association Friday night.
Merrill and her pony, Pandamonium, won for jumping against the clock in competitions over 12 to 20 jumps, 3'6" in height and width. Not only did they jump high and fast, but "Merri" and "Panda" won while competing against adults at least twice her age and against horses at least a foot taller than Panda.
Even more important, last Sunday, Merrill and Panda received he United States Equestrian Federation's award as their 2012 Children's Jumper champions in Zone 2--New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania--against more than 150 horse and rider teams in three states.
Merrill is a member of the USEF High School Equestrian Program, the U.S. Pony Club, and the Smithtown Hunt. At Whitman, she is a member of the SADD Club and has almost 150 hours of community service.
She is looking forward to continuing her show jumping career on bigger horses over bigger courses. Merrill has her sights set on attending college and becoming a lawyer
