Marilyn Little Stakes Claim on 1/ST CSI2* Grand Prix
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.”
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Sophie Gochman and Jordan Soar to Top in WCHR 3’3” Amateur-Owner Classic
