Upperville, Va. – June 7, 2019 – The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions wrapped up Friday at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show (UCHS), presented by St. Bride’s Farm, with Catch Me and Becky Gochman claiming the Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter title after acquiring the most points in their respective Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter division. The pair took home the San Siro Perpetual Trophy, donated by Tracey Weinberg and Weinberg Brokerage Group.
This is Catch Me’s first time competing at the historic horse show, with Gochman concluding a stellar two days of competition Friday by winning the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over 3’6” Hunter division as well as the Cafe Cheval Trophy, donated by Elaine Middleton and Cafe Cheval. In addition, the pair also captured the $5,000 Markel Insurance Company Amateur-Owner 3’3”/3’6” Hunter Classic on Friday, riding to the top total score of 175.75 out of 15 entries. The pair was also awarded the Katherine Clark Trophy, presented by Olympian Joe Fargis.
Earlier in the week, Scott Stewart rode Gochman’s Catch Me to the High Performance Conformation Hunter championship. Just one week ago, Gochman and Catch Me earned yet another tricolor honor at the Devon Horse Show, receiving the Devon Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter championship award.
The Amateur-Owner High-Point Award and the James J. Piehler Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by his friends, also went to Gochman, who accumulated the most points in any section of the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions. Virginia Fout rode Cristiano to the Best Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider award.
To wrap-up the day under the oaks in the Main Hunter Ring, both professional and amateur riders were invited to compete in the $10,000 Paul & Eve Go As You Please Handy Hunter class. Held in memory of two of Virginia’s finest horsemen, Paul and Eve Fout, riders are asked to choose their own course, demonstrating particular handy skills, including a hand gallop as well as a trot fence. The class was judged on performance, manners, way of going and handiness, displayed by the rider’s choice of fences. The first place award, presented by Nina Fout, was ultimately awarded to Samantha Schaefer aboard her own mount, Stallone.
Saturday at the UCHS will mark the start of the junior hunter divisions, while the day will feature the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Salamander Resort & Spa, at 4 p.m. in the B&D Builders Jumper Ring I.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Becky Gochman – Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter
On Catch Me:
“This is Catch Me’s first year competing at Upperville. I was very pleased that Scott [Stewart] rode him first in the High Performance Hunters earlier in the week and he was champion. Scott said that he was so relaxed and that gave me a lot of confidence to just go out there and have a good time. I think coming off of such a great show at Devon, where he was so consistent, I went in with the attitude of just wanting to have a great time and enjoy the trees and the grass.”
On her win:
“When I walked in, I could feel that he was enjoying himself and he was so relaxed. It just made for a really fun horse show for us! It’s always really fun to be able to gallop a little bit more to the fences. It’s a great horse show to practice skills that you don’t get to practice at other shows. We were just so pleased.”
On her $5,000 Markel Insurance Company Amateur-Owner 3’3”/3’6” Hunter Classic win:
“I had a really good second class the first day, we got a 91. That carried over going into the classic today, and we got an 84 so it was consistent enough to capture the classic win. [Catch Me] was listening to me so much in that class, he just wants to please, he’s so adjustable. I want to thank Scott [Stewart] and Cookie, who brought him along as a youngster.”