Hunters shined under the lights during Friday evening’s $5,000 WCHR 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, part of World Championship Hunter Rider Week (WCHR) week at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Thirty-eight amateur hunters took the opportunity to compete with their own mounts in the International Arena in a traditional hunter derby format with courses designed by Meghan Rawlins (CAN).
Each rider completed the classic round of competition, giving them a single score determining their position for the handy round. The top-12 scoring riders from round one returned for the test over a hand course. Of those 12 returning riders, Sophie Gochman of Palm Beach, FL, and Jordan took top call.
The pair came into the second round sitting in second on a score of 88. Returning in reverse order, Gochman had one more chance to climb to the top. She and the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding bested their opening score, laying down an 89 to claim the win.
The pair has gotten to know each other over the past three seasons but have recently found their stride. “It’s taken us a while to mesh together so this is a really big win for us,” said Gochman of her partnership with Jordan. “We stepped down from the 3’6” to the 3’3” and I think it gave us more confidence as a pair.”
Training with hunter professional Scott Stewart, Gochman has worked on remaining consistent in the saddle both physically and mentally. “I often get a bit reactive when switching between my hunter and jumper rides,” explained Gochman. “I’ve been working a lot with Scott on staying calm with my body and my legs, but also mentally. The calmer I stay, the calmer [Jordan] stays with me.”
Keeping it cool, calm, and collected, Gochman met her goal of the night to enjoy the ride. “I’ve never done this class before and being under the lights I don’t go in with too many expectations,” said Gochman. “I thought this would be a fun class for us to try out and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
On scores of 85.75 and 90, Hollin Sutherland of Grosse Point Farms, MI, and Rafferty was second behind Gochman, and Stephanie Danhakl of Dover, MA, claimed third riding Quest after leading the first round on a 90 and earning an 85 in the handy.
As winner of the class, Gochman was honored with the Legacy Trophy, donated by the WCHR Task Force, in memory of Jeff Wirthman, presented by Louise Serio of the WCHR Task Force Chair and Carl Weeden, WCHR Task Force Vice Chair.
Sophie Gochman plans to return under the lights for WCHR week’s pinnacle event, the $150,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular with two of her seasoned 3’6” mounts, Daydream and Colter.
For full results from the WCHR 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, click here.
Junior and amateur hunters championed Friday afternoon to wrap up their WCHR week divisions.
The T&R Development 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division crowned Ava Barnes of Liberty Township, OH, and Atlas, owned by Stephanie Ring, as champions.
Claiming the Adequan 3’3” 18-35 Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship was Caroline Kellogg of Bedminster, NJ, her own Alistaire. The BluCreeq Spirits 3’3” 36+ Amateur-Owner Hunter top prize was awarded to Danhakl and Quest.
The 3’3” Junior Hunter divisions pinned their prizes as well with Kenzie Smith of Shoreham, NY, and Mirage taking the Weatherly Stroh Studio 15 & Under Sec. A championship and Ashley McCaslin of Wellesley Hills, MA claiming Sec. B with Swoon. Samatha Higgins of Southampton, NY, and Blue Time took the top spot for the 16-17 age group.
Complete WCHR champion results can be found here.
