Lexington, Ky. – May 11, 2019 – The amateur-owner divisions at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show concluded in the Stonelea Ring on Saturday with the awarding of the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship. Presented to the rider who accumulated the most points over the course of competition Friday and Saturday in applicable divisions, the award was chased by a high number of entries across various hunter divisions. After two days of consistent rounds, Becky Gochman and Catch Me couldn’t be caught, capturing all five Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter classes to earn the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship and ultimately claim the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship, generously sponsored by Visse Wedell.
Gochman and her own Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Catch Me accumulated an impressive number of points Friday, topping competition with high scores of 90 and 93 in the over fences classes while also riding to the win in the under saddle. On Saturday, Gochman and Catch Me once again claimed the win in both over fences classes with high scores of 86 and 87.
The pair shares an impressive partnership that was garnered them countless championship awards, most recently earning the circuit champion title in the Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Champion division thanks to their consistent high scores and top placings earned over 12 weeks of competition at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
In the professional divisions, the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding also topped the High Performance Working Hunters with Scott Stewart, riding to another score of 90 to win one round over fences, in addition to besting the under saddle and the handy round.
The Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion award is presented each year by Visse Wedell. Wedell has been a continuously strong supporter of the Kentucky Horse Shows by sponsoring grand championship prizes in multiple divisions every year.
Hunter competition will continue in the Stonelea Ring on Sunday beginning at 7:45 a.m. with the Small Junior Hunters. The highlight of the day will be the USHJA National Hunter Derby and the USHJA International Hunter Derby immediately following.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Becky Gochman – Amateur-Owner Hunter Grand Champion
On Catch Me:
“It’s been a while since I’ve ridden, so I came here with the expectations to just get going again. Scott [Stewart] did Catch Me in the professional High Performance division and he felt really in gear to me, so that made my job really easy. He was a dreamboat. He was very refreshed from his break. He was such a good boy and he made everything fun.”
On Kentucky Horse Shows:
“[Catch Me] really had a great time at this spring show. I always love this show. I love Lexington, Kentucky, and it was a blast. This was our warm-up for Devon and it went smoothly.”