Colter Shows Up and Shows Out for Equine Tack & Nutritionals 3’9” Green Hunter Title
No stranger to the hunter podium, Wellington’s own Scott Stewart and Colter, owned by Sophie Gochman, took home the top tricolor in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals 3’9” Green Hunter division on Thursday during opening week of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Stewart and Colter, a nine-year-old gelding by Franziscus, won two of the four over-fences classes scoring a 90 and 89, as well as taking the win in the under saddle.
This was Colter’s debut at 3’9” after competing in the 3’6” professional divisions during the fall indoors season with Stewart in the irons, while owner Sophie Gochman focused on her studies.
“It’s a great start to the season and the division,” mentioned Gochman, a 21-year-old History major at Havard. Stewart has been her right hand when it comes to keeping her hunters in top shape. “He’s been a huge help keeping him in the right place,” says Gochman.
There is only more to come for this hunter trio as Stewart plans to keep Colter in the arena until Gochman takes him into the 3’6” amateur-owner classes later in the season. As for Gochman, she will be one to watch in amateur hunter and jumper divisions, and possibly some grand prixs throughout the season.
Victoria Colvin, of Loxahatchee, FL, and Nanook, owned by Ashley Hodges took the reserve championship. The pair scored close to the top, including a 90 and high 80s across the board, as well as a second-place finish in the hack for a successful start to the season.
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