Faces of Pin Oak: Avery Griffin

Photos by Andrew Ryback Photography

At just 18 years old, show jumper Avery Griffin has a more extensive competitive resume than many older riders. In 2024, Griffin competed at Azelhof in Belgium, winning a gold medal as part of the United States Junior Nations’ Cup Team. Earlier last year, she secured her first grand prix victory aboard Oh My Star Van Strytem during the $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.

Before the season even began this year, Griffin was invited to be part of the 2025 USEF Horsemastership Training Series, a program designed to develop the next generation of top U.S. show jumping athletes.

“Starting off with the Horsemastership Series was really cool, because it definitely put a lot of emphasis on learning and having all of these incredible experiences with these people that are just such wonderful resources,” Griffin said. “I learned a lot from the U.S. team and talking to chiropractors and the osteopath and the vet and everyone that makes the team run. I learned a lot about the selection process and how to get to the point where you’re competing against the McLain Wards and the Lillie Keenans and all of those people. In terms of my own riding, I learned a lot about flat work and preparing horses – both knowing the best way to prepare my own horses and seeing how other clients’ horses work.”

Griffin was first introduced to the idea of riding for the United States when she was selected to ride for the team in the Junior Nations’ Cup in Belgium. The team came home with a gold medal, a first for many team members.

“Just to go there, to ride with those girls, to know what it feels like to be on a team at that level, was amazing,” Griffin said. “They did a very good job making it easy and a good experience for us. It was definitely a taste of what it would take to jump in the three star teams, the five star teams, at a senior Nations Cup or maybe the Olympics someday. I think they did a very good job of letting you dip your toe into the water and see what it will all start to look like. And obviously winning there was just the cherry on top.”

“I am sure they understood that it was most of our first time going to Europe to compete, so everything was very laid out,” Griffin continued. “They told us exactly how it was going to work, which definitely made it less of an anxiety-inducing experience. The girls on the team were incredible. It became such a community.”

As equestrian competition is usually an individual sport, riding with a team can have a big impact on the rider’s mindset, particularly in a high-pressure situation, like competing internationally. But Griffin said it didn’t phase her.

“I think team riding has always been something that I’ve loved, like obviously the whole sport is so individual – when you go into the ring, it is just you and your horse. Obviously, it’s the same way on the team,” Griffin admitted. “But I feel like there is a sense that it is more important to people that you are on this team, with your country, your zone, whatever it is, and you really want to do well. I think when I get in there, riding on a team actually helps me let go of that anxiety more, because it’s all of your scores in the end, it’s not just you individually. I love that aspect.”

According to Griffin, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has played a large hand in her burgeoning competitive career. Having competed at the venue in Katy, Texas, since she was just 8 years old, Griffin has made lots of memories at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. Her favorite, however, is also one of her earliest.

“I believe I had won a Green Pony Classic. They gave us a little trophy,” Griffin said. “There’s a photo of me in the car on the way home, hugging it as I go to sleep. I think it was the first time that I’d really won something big. In that moment, it was the first time I thought, ‘Wow, this is really something that I could be good at.’”

Native to Texas, Griffin calls Pin Oak her hometown horse show with great tracks, a great venue and good people. The charitable aspect of the event has also left her with once-in-a-lifetime memories.

“I remember that a child who had benefited from the event attended the horse show,” Griffin said. “I must have been 11 or 12 years old. I remember the announcer saying that she wanted to see some horses. Could a couple people please come bring horses? It ended up being this whole parade of hundreds of people and exhibitors that came out and brought their horses. There’s a photo – she came up and pet my jumper. It was just really sweet and really cool to see firsthand how Pin Oak gives back.

“It feels more special. It feels a little bit bigger than you,” Griffin continued. “For me, part of that is that I know the whole community, and so it feels very personal. But no matter how my show goes and what my results look like, I’m part of this thing that’s bigger than me and more important than my week alone, which is a very special feeling.”

Of her first-ever grand prix happening at Pin Oak 2024, Griffin said, “It was incredible to do it at Pin Oak, which has always been my home show and a big part of our year. It was even cooler to do it with Ava Myers who was second. I’ve ridden with her for a while and known for even longer,” Griffin said.

Looking ahead to the future, Griffin is hoping to step more into FEI competitions this year and will be heading to Spruce Meadows for her second time ever competing outside the United States. “I want to go back to NAYC and jump for the Young Riders’ team as well as the Young Rider Nations’ Cup team. Getting to jump for the U.S. team again is definitely a bucket list item for this year.”

Griffin also plans to continue her tradition of returning to her hometown horse show – the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show – this year and is looking forward to competing at her old stomping grounds once again.