Ava Hingson, a 19-year-old from Cornwall, Connecticut, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 in a tragic freak accident on a trail ride. Daughter of Drew Hingson and Elise Meneshian-Hingson, Ava was a sophomore at Sewanee: University of The South studying English Literature and was an active member of Sewanee's intercollegiate eventing team.
Ava grew up riding in the hunter ring and took a step back from riding when she entered high school. While at school at Sewanee, she developed a love for the sport of eventing through the instruction of Sewanee's equestrian coach, Karine Gordy. Ava and her beloved horse Red competed in her first horse trials in November 2019 at the River Glen Horse Trials, placing second.
"Ava embodied everything you could possibly want in a friend," shared Kit Ferguson, Ava's friend and fellow intercollegiate eventing teammate. "She was swift to love and quick to show kindness. These qualities are what made her such an outstanding horse person and vital member of the Sewanee eventing team. She will be terribly missed by those lucky enough to have known her."
Ava is survived by her parents; maternal grandparents, Hagop and Sylviagene Meneshian; her beloved uncle, Dicron Meneshian; and a host of special aunts, uncles, and cousins from both the Meneshian and Hingson sides of her family. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Robert Hingson and Gussie Dickson-Hingson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Teach America at P.O. Box 398305, San Francisco, California 94139. Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.cumberlandfuneralhome.net.
The USEA extends our deepest condolences to Ava's family and friends.
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Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered!