Tag Archives: Mimi Gochman

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Storyteller and So Enchanted Receive Large Regular and Small Green Hunter Pony Titles

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Mimi Gochman and Storyteller (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The first championship titles of the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans were claimed Wednesday as the Large Regular Hunter Ponies and the Small Green Hunter Ponies completed their final phases of competition in the 2016 US Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm at the Kentucky Horse Park. Mimi Gochman and Storyteller earned top overall honors in the Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship, while Caroline Passarelli and So Enchanted received the Small Green Hunter Pony Championship title.

National titles are determined following three phases of competition, with Model and Under Saddle phases each counting towards 25% of the overall score, and the remaining 50% being determined by the Over Fences phase.

Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship

Gochman (Wellington, Fla.) and Fair Play Farm’s Storyteller earned the Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship after a fantastic round in the Over Fences phase to score 259.50 for first place in the phase. On Tuesday, she and the 13-year-old German Sport Pony gelding won the Model phase with a score of 259.76 and were third in the Under Saddle phase with a score of 262.04, putting them in first place overall. Their strong over fences performance allowed them to remain at the top of the leaderboard to win the Champion ribbon with a final score of 1040.80.

“I was Reserve [Champion] last year. I was really happy with the Reserve [Champion title], but I’d never been champion and it is a great honor to be champion, especially with such a great pony. He’s always there and always helps me out,” Gochman said.

Gochman is attending her fifth “Pony Finals” and the championship is one of her favorite competitions. She explained, “I like how it gives everyone a chance, and they put it in one of the best rings here. It’s definitely fun for the ponies. Pony Finals is Pony Finals. It’s a great show.”

The Reserve Champion title went to Devin Seek (Ocala, Fla.) and Ashley Vail Aycox’s Garavani with a final score of 1003.25. She and the eight-year-old Dutch Riding Pony gelding scored 246.70 in the Over Fences phase, after earning 258.76 in the Model phase and 251.09 in the Under Saddle phase.

Dakota Champey (Far Hills, N.J.) and MDHT Equestrian, LLC’s Tantallon Co-Captain finished third in the Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship with a total score of 997.90, and their over fences score putting them in second place in the phase. She and the 13-year-old Half Welsh gelding finished with scores of 257.37, 249.53, and 245.50 in the Model, Under Saddle, and Over Fences phases, respectively.

Small Green Hunter Pony Championship

Passarelli (High Falls, N.Y.) and Jessica and Michaila Catherine Yarr Zandri’s So Enchanted won the Small Green Hunter Pony Championship with a score of 1052.46 after winning each of the three phases. She and the eight-year-old Welsh Pony Cross mare received scores of 260.13 in the Model phase and 258.33 in the Under Saddle phase on the first day of competition. They maintained their commanding lead at the top of the leaderboard by claiming top honors in the Over Fences phase with a score of 267.00.

“I just wanted to keep everything smooth and even and give her a confident ride, and not get too worked up finding every jump. I really just wanted to give her the solid ride that she deserved,” Passarelli said of her round.

Like Gochman, Passarelli is a “Pony Finals” veteran, making her sixth appearance at the championship and winning her first title. “It’s incredible. It took a few years, but this was an incredible pony to [win a title] on. I’m so thankful for the Zandris for allowing me to show this pony and to Patricia [Griffith], Dottie [Barnwell-Areson], and everyone at Heritage Farm for helping me with everything and continuing to do so.”

The Reserve Champion title went to Casey Oliver (Bellview, Fla.) and Patti Foster’s Picturesque Bow Tie with a final score of 995.98. She and the 10-year-old Welsh Pony gelding had solid scores of 245.13, 244.85, and 253.00 in the Model, Under Saddle, and Over Fences phases, respectively.

Luke Jensen (Denton, Texas) and Bill Schaub’s Mustachio were in third in the Small Green Hunter Pony Championship after scoring 995.98 overall. He and the 10-year-old Welsh gelding received scores of 248.55, 244.04, and 251.25 for the Model, Under Saddle, and Over Fences phases, respectively.

Competition continues Thursday with the Medium and Large Green Hunter Ponies contesting the Model and Under Saddle phases in the Walnut Arena. Then, the Small Regular Hunter Ponies will complete the Over Fences to determine the champion. Evelyn Walker (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) and Royal Moment, her own seven-year-old Welsh Pony gelding, currently lead the standings with a score of 519.99. In the evening in the Alltech Arena, the US Pony Jumper Championship will get underway with the Individual Phase I.

The live stream on the USEF Network is presented by the USHJA Foundation and will cover all of the competition from the Walnut and Alltech Arenas. Check out the USEF Network for a complete schedule.

For live scoring, results, schedule, and competitor and hospitality information, go to www.usefconnect.com/ponyfinals.

Find out more information about the US Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm at www.ponyfinals.org.

From the USEF Communications Department

Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Pony

Storyteller and Mimi Gochman Lead Large Ponies on Day One of 2016 U.S. Pony Finals

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Mimi Gochman and Storyteller.

So Enchanted and Caroline Passarelli Sweep the Small Green Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle

Lexington, KY – Aug. 9, 2016 – Mimi Gochman kicked off her fifth year at U.S. Pony Finals with a win aboard Fair Play Farm’s Storyteller in the Large Pony Model and a third-place finish in the Large Pony Under Saddle, heading into day two of competition sitting in the lead with 521.8 points.

“I’m really excited and very happy,” Gochman said, smiling. “Since I’ve done Pony Finals so many times, it makes me so happy to have success here. In the past few years I’ve gotten better at doing this, but modeling is hard and hacking can be very hard, so to win out of so many kids, I’m very proud of him.”

The 11-year-old, who is based out of West Palm Beach and trains with both the Baxter Hill and Rivers Edge Farm teams, said she got the ride on Storyteller around this time last year, just one week after Pony Finals.

“Story has always been really simple,” Gochman said. “He is easy. He has a great personality. You can always trust him to be safe, and you can always have fun on him, which is really good. He’s funny – he has a great personality. It’s really fun to have a pony that you can hang out with, too. He has a big, grand neck and he’s pretty shiny, thanks to my groom.”

Going into Wednesday’s over-fences class, Gochman acknowledged that her job was not done yet, and said she is going to focus on thinking ahead and continuing to ride her best.

“Tomorrow, I have to keep going,” Gochman said. “I can’t just say that I did well now and not try tomorrow. I’ve got to keep trying really hard. I try not to be nervous and to make it like it’s another show, but again this show is so much fun and we’re in the big ring. The ponies don’t get to go in a big ring like this a lot, so it’s special.”

Coming in second with 258.760 points in the Large Pony model was Ashley Aycox’s Garavani, who was handled by Devin Seek. In third place with 257.37 points was Tantallon Co-Captain of MDHT Equestrian LLC, handled by Dakota Champey.

In the under saddle, it was Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Soldier and Augusta Iwasaki who took home the blue ribbon with their score of 264.58 points. Taking home second place on the flat with a score of 262.5 points was Foxlair Syncopation, ridden and owned by Kayla Jacobs.

Coming in second overall at the end of day one with 509.85 points is Garavani, owned by Aycox and shown by Seek. Heading into day two in third with 506.2 points is R Cinderella Man, owned and shown by Abigail Fox.

So Enchanted and Caroline Passarelli Sweep the Small Green Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle

Fourteen-year-old Caroline Passarelli rounded out the first day of U.S. Pony Finals with back-to-back blues in the Small Green Pony Hunter division with her mount, So Enchanted.

“Lex,” as the mare is called in the barn, is owned by Jessica Zandri, and Passarelli recently got the ride aboard the 8-year-old chestnut mare in the beginning of June. Despite this new partnership, Passarelli took the top prize in the model before heading back into the ring for the under saddle phase, where she triumphed yet again.

Passarelli was calm and collected going into this year’s U.S. Pony Finals as it is her fifth consecutive year. The Pony Finals veteran trains with the team at Heritage Farm based in Katonah, New York. She only had positive things to say about her mount.

“This pony, she’s really a special one,” Passarelli beamed. “You don’t come across ponies like this many times. She has a great mind; she really wants to win and she knows that she can be the winner.”

“You really have to ride kind of like you’re asking her to do stuff, not telling her,” Passarelli continued. “She really wants you to ride her like she’s the driver. She’s truly amazing – she’s one that you don’t find many times. And for her to have the whole package, it is really special to be able to ride her.”

Passarelli, of High Falls, New York, knew what her game plan was going into the under saddle phase — Lex prefers her pilot to be simple and let her do her job.

“She’s a great mover, so it’s just letting her go forward and kind of do her own thing. She doesn’t like when you fuss with her too much, so you just set her up and leave her there and she likes to hold her own.”

In terms of the model, Passarelli noted, “You can just leave her alone and she’ll look pretty.”

The young rider had a mature and realistic attitude going into Wednesday’s over-fences portion.

“Well, they’re green ponies so anything can happen no matter how great they are the rest of the time, so I’m just planning on giving her a really strong, confident ride and having her be her best. Hopefully, it will all turn out well.”

So Enchanted and Passarelli are heading into the second day of U.S. Pony Finals in the lead in the Small Green Pony Hunters with a total score of 518.46, while Lauren Reed and Starstone are currently sitting in second place with a total of 497.67. Casey Oliver and her mount, Picturesque Bow Tie, are in third with 489.98.

Competition at the 2016 U.S. Pony Finals will resume Wednesday morning in the Walnut Arena starting with the Regular Small Pony Model followed by the under saddle.

For more information about the 2016 U.S. Pony Finals, please visit https://www.usef.org/_iframes/breedsdisciplines/discipline/pony/ponyfinals.aspx.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Farrington and Creedance Win $35k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at WEF

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Kent Farrington and Creedance. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Mimi Gochman Claims Top Prize in the Large Pony Hunters aboard Storyteller

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2016 – Week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Horseware Ireland, concluded on Sunday, March 20, featuring the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBEC). The class saw a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance, with Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Picolo in second, and Abdel Said (EGY) aboard Luron S Z third. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the final track for this week’s 1.50m for 55 starters, with ten clear rounds, and six double clear entries in the jump-off. Abdel Said set a fast pace with Luron S Z, owned by AS Sport Horses and Philippe de Balanda BVBA, in a time of 31.05 seconds to eventually place third. Ben Maher (GBR) followed with the fifth place time of 33.20 aboard Stone Hill Farm’s Carolina 31. Kim Prince (USA) and Rushy Marsh Farm’s RMF Swinny du Parc jumped next with a clear round in 33.35 seconds to place sixth.

Farrington was next to clear the short course with RCG Farm’s Creedance, taking the lead in 30.32 seconds. Edward Levy (FRA) and Remarkable Farms’ Wirma jumped into fourth place with their time of 32.16 seconds. Last to go, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Oakland Ventures’ Picolo moved into second place with a time of 30.79 seconds.

Farrington got Creedance, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) one year ago and has been taking his time to bring the horse along and work on his rideability.

“He is still very green; he has not done a whole lot, but I think he could be a really special horse,” Farrington detailed. “He is extremely hot, so it has taken a little while to make him manageable, but he is a real jumper, and he is like a Jack Russell Terrier in the ring. He reminds me of an old horse I had called Up Chiqui, who was an exceptional horse. I think this horse has a lot of similar characteristics, and if I can teach him to harness his energy, I think he could be something special.”

Speaking of his winning jump-off, Farrington stated, “The horse is already fast all by himself, so that is a big advantage. Before, his steering was not so good, but we have really been working on that for a while without the speed. Today, I let him go a little bit quicker, but he has the advantage that both, he can turn really short to the fences, and he is very fast across the ground naturally.”

Creedance jumped week ten’s WEF Challenge Cup along with Sunday’s 1.50m. Farrington plans to show him in week eleven’s WEF Challenge Cup as well, and will then decide if the gelding is ready to try the grand prix.

“I am not sure yet. He is just nine years old, so I will see how that goes and decide what the next move is,” Farrington noted.

The rider also spoke of Sunday’s course and the tracks throughout the week set by Canada’s Michel Vaillancourt, who is also an Olympic individual silver medalist.

“I think Vaillancourt is one of the top designers, and I am always happy when he builds because I think it is a technical course without crazy size,” Farrington remarked. “He usually ends up with the right amount clear. I thought he did a great job with the grand prix on Saturday. It was a mixed field of horses, and he did not end up with a million clear, and we had a good class without it being impossible to jump. I think he is one of the best builders we have around here.”

Also competing in the International Ring on Sunday, Teddy Vlock and Vlock Show Stables’ Onyx du Haut Bois won the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic. The $10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic concluded the day with a win for Kelly Tropin and Libertas Farms LLC’s Adorose.

Mimi Gochman Claims Top Prize in the Large Pony Hunter Aboard Storyteller

The competitive Large Pony Hunter division came to a close Sunday morning in Ring 12 with Mimi Gochman and Storyteller crowned this week’s champions. Rain clouds gave way to the sunshine as Gochman and Storyteller rode to wins in both over fences classes on Sunday morning. The pair also earned a first and sixth place finishes over fences on Saturday, and took home second in the under saddle. Storyteller is a 13-year-old German Sport Pony gelding owned by Fair Play Farm.

Mimi’s sister Sophie Gochman and Scott Stewart’s Westside settled for the reserve title. Westside, a 13-year-old Warmblood gelding, placed second in the under saddle and earned two seconds, a third, and a sixth over fences.

Mimi Gochman and Storyteller
Mimi Gochman and Storyteller

While Sophie and Mimi often compete against each other in the Large Pony Hunter division, the siblings support each other more than they rival against each other. “We’re pretty civil about competing with each other,” Mimi Gochman explained.

Eleven-year-old Mimi Gochman trains with the teams at Baxter Hill and Rivers Edge. Her primary trainers are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, and Amanda Derbyshire, all of whom Gochman credits for her success. She is remarkably poised and well-spoken for such a young rider, likely due to the great deal of success she has already enjoyed during her young career.

“I’ve been riding since I was 18 months old,” Gochman proudly stated. Her mother Becky Gochman is a highly successful amateur rider, whose love of the sport influenced her daughters’ desire to show.

Mimi Gochman, who recently moved to Wellington, FL with her family full-time, has been riding Storyteller for two years. The pair has enjoyed a great deal of success during that time together, notably winning the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals at the Washington International Horse Show this past October.

“Storyteller is a very sweet pony. He’s very easy to ride and very adjustable,” Gochman remarked. “He’s strong and he’s sturdy, and I can always trust him to get me around the ring safely.

“Storyteller is just easy in general to steer and to get going” Gochman continued. “He’s a good listener; he listens to my hand and my leg which is really nice.”

Storyteller performs especially well in the handy hunter classes, which the pair earned a blue ribbon in this week. “His nickname is ‘Handy King’ because he’s very good at turning,” Gochman laughed. “That really comes in handy when we have to take the tight turns in the handy classes!”

Along with Storyteller, Gochman also competes with Lululemon, who is a green pony owned by Rivers Edge. They compete together in the Large/Medium Green Pony Hunter division.

Outside of the show ring Gochman enjoys playing tennis, counting it as one of her favorite hobbies. “I also like to read a lot,” she added.

Gochman and Storyteller will continue to show in the Large Pony Hunter division for the remainder of the WEF circuit.

The 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its eleventh week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, on March 23-27, 2016. The week highlights the $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, March 26. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Farah Rizvi Pilots Glynhafan Red Kestral to Grand Champion Pony Title at WIHS

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Farah Rizvi Pilots Glynhafan Red Kestral to Grand Champion Pony Title at WIHS

Mimi Gochman Tops WIHS Pony Equitation Finals; Ali O’Brien and Jack Graham Win in Regional Championships

Washington, D.C. – October 25, 2015 – The 57th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) came to a close on Sunday after another historic week of show jumping, hunter, equitation competition in the nation’s capital by celebrating pony and local champions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. The Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Novick & Rustic Woods, was presented to Peacock Ridge, LLC’s Glynhafan Red Kestral and rider Farah Rizvi, of Wellington, FL, for Grand Champion Pony honors. The WIHS Pony Equitation Finals were held in the afternoon with a win for Mimi Gochman, and the WIHS Regional Finals capped the day with blue ribbons presented to Ali O’Brien and Jack Graham.

Rizvi dominated pony competition at WIHS aboard Glynhafan Red Kestral, a 10-year-old Welsh Pony gelding. In addition to taking home Grand Champion, she boasted a tricolor in the Large Pony Hunter Division, as well as The Captain V. S. Littauer Perpetual Trophy, donated by Hugh J. B. Cassidy, III, Mrs. William Dillon, and Miss Marion Lee, for Best Child Rider on a Pony, sponsored by Gotham North.

“It’s really exciting to be in such a big arena where other big sports happen. It’s usually grand prix classes that get to go in rings like this, but this makes us feel like we are a big event too,” said Rizvi.

For Rizvi, WIHS was one of the biggest goals she set for herself this year and in turn was one of the her highlight victories. “I think he [Glynhafan Red Kestral] really liked it here. He likes audiences and today it was like he saw all the people and knew everyone was watching him,” she said.

In the Large Pony Hunter Division, Rizvi and Glynhafan Red Kestral were first and third over fences before winning the stake on a score of 87 to take home The Pegasus Stable Perpetual Trophy, donated by Ms. Fenwick Kollock. Reserve Champion was presented to Augusta Iwasaki and Kingston, owned by Ava Peck, after a first and second over fences.

While Rizvi has only had the ride on Glynhafan Red Kestral for several months, the pair has quickly formulated a knack for wins. “She only took over the reins starting in the summer and she was away a lot, so for her to be able to step up and shine on this pony is a trainer’s dream,” said Rizvi’s trainer Christine Trigger. “I had goosebumps for her – it’s such a big accomplishment. For me, it doesn’t get any better than Washington. This is a milestone show and to get a pony to step up and win here lets you know that you have a phenomenal animal.”

Rizvi acknowledged that she has recently been practicing her dressage movements in preparation to compete in FEI Pony competition at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival this winter and the extra practice may have helped her in Washington. “I think my dressage lessons have helped with my position, and all the practicing at home has made my ponies go better on the flat and helped with the jumping,” she said.

Farah was not the only Rizvi to shine at WIHS this year – her younger sister Zayna jumped Swingtown to Champion in the Medium Pony Hunter Champion and earned The Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy, donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Ltd. Swingtown, owned by Peacock Ridge, LLC, jumped to two sixth-place finishes over fences and won both the stake and under saddle. Hannah Hoch and her own Anisette were second twice over fences and fourth under saddle to claim Reserve Champion in the Medium Pony Hunter Division.

Sophie Gochman and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Love Me Tender claimed the Small Pony Hunter Championship, presented by Further Lane Farm and were awarded The Stombock Saddlery Challenge Trophy, donated by Stombock Saddlery in Memory of E. P. (Bud) Stombock. Gochman and Love Me Tender were first and third over fences, in addition to third in the stake and second under saddle. Trading off wins with Gochman, Libbie Gordon and Bibby Hill’s Baby Blue were Reserve Champions for small ponies after first and second over fences, and sixth under saddle.

Continuing the success of small ponies at WIHS, Claire Campbell and Armani, owned by Maher Family, LLC, jumped to the highest stake score of an 89 to earn the Best Pony Hunter Stake Award. The head-turning trip also won Campbell the EQUUS Best Performance Award for a child on a pony, as well as the Potomac Trophy for the high score junior hunter rider on a pony.

Mimi Gochman Wins 2015 WIHS Pony Equitation Finals

Later on Sunday, young riders competed in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals with a win for 11-year-old Mimi Gochman of New York, NY. Trained by Scott Stewart, Gochman rode Fair Play Farm’s Storyteller to a score of 85 over fences. She came out on top after the judges tested the top four over another shortened course. Gochman was presented with the Jane Marshall Dillon Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by the friends and students of Mrs. Jane Marshall Dillon for the win.

Mimi Gochman and Storyteller
Mimi Gochman and Storyteller

Tessa P. Brown had the high score of 87 in her first round over fences and finished in second place after the test riding Radiance. Elly Ficca scored an 86 in the first round and placed third overall with It’s All Good. Caroline Ellis scored an 84 in round one and returned for the test with Cozy Up to finish fourth.

“It was really awesome to win,” Gochman stated. “My pony is the best for this kind of thing. He is easy to transition, nice jump, good for sitting – I can maybe do everything on that pony. I was a little nervous, but he was really good.”

“After I got the 85, I thought I would go back for testing, but I thought it was going to be a flat phase. I was in the schooling area doing no stirrups, turns on the haunches, sitting trot, sitting trot without stirrups, but then they announced it was jumping,” Gochman noted. “I am also confident on that, but then they told us that we had to go in the ring and have no instruction from our trainers, and that is when I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s scary.’ It was challenging, but Story helped me out very well.”

Gochman has been competing on ponies at WIHS for a few years now and always enjoys her time in the nation’s capital.

“It is really amazing how they can get all the footing in here and all the jumps and still make it safe and not scary,” she acknowledged. “The most interesting thing is being in the city, showing in the city, because it is a different environment for the ponies. It is great that Story can handle that. He does not spook a lot. He does not get scared. He can relax in any environment. I also love going to see the monuments and the White House and it is nice weather here during the fall, so it is nice to be here.”

Regional Winners Crowned at WIHS

Sunday concluded with the culmination of WIHS Regional Hunter Finals, which kicked off last week at the WIHS Regional Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Ten-year-old Ali O’Brien of McLean, VA and her own Cloud Cover won the final class of the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals, while 13-year-old Jack Graham of Sterling, VA took home blue in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals.

This year marked the first time O’Brien, who trains with Cindy Newberry, has qualified for the final at WIHS after competing at the WIHS Regional Horse Show the past two years. Her score of an 83 secured the win.

Gabby Cecil and Eyes Up, owned by Sarah K. Hanks, finished second on a 79, while Kate Howlin and Jamrock, owned by Wilson Sporthorse, LLC, took third with a 75. Fielding Stichman and her own Oohpa Loompa were fourth with a 73, and Jacqueline Needle rounded out the top five with her own Frostline on a 71.

“It was fantastic. I can’t really imagine anything else like it,” said O’Brien after her win. “I’ve been riding Cloud Cover for two and a half years and she is fabulous. She has helped me grow as a rider and taught me a lot.”

O’Brien took home Reserve Champion after scores were combined from competition at the WIHS Regional Horse Show, and 12-year-old Howlin earned Champion.

Jack Graham of Sterling, VA piloted Mary Elizabeth Cordia’s Welcome to an 82 and top call in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals. Courtney Sloan and her own Wallenda were second best on a 78, and Meghan Lane piloted Chestertown, owned by Kimberly Stewart, to a 70 for third. Megan Fitzgerald and City Smarts picked up fourth on a 61 for owners Darpin Enterprises, LLC, while Madeline McManus rounded out the top five on a 55 with her own Invesco 55.

“I was really nervous at the start, but I just went in and rode like I usually do,” said Graham concerning his first appearance at WIHS. “I was just excited to show here and it was a great experience.”

Welcome was Cordia’s main equitation mount for three years before Graham got the ride on the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. No stranger to success at WIHS, Welcome boasts a tricolor in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals from 2011. “I started doing jumpers, but I still wanted to ride him a little so we made a deal that he would stay at my old barn and my old trainer’s son [Jack] would get to ride him,” said Cordia.

Graham trains with Dave Rifkin and Sue Andrews and has been riding Welcome for just over a year. “He’s the smoothest horse I’ve ever ridden in my life and I just love him so much,” said Graham.

Graham and Welcome earned Reserve Champion for their performance, while Fitzgerald and City Smarts took home The Black, Starr & Frost Perpetual Trophy, donated by Black, Staff & Frost for Champion. For full results, please visit www.wihs.org.

About Washington International Horse Show, www.wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the U.S. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, for the President’s Cup (Saturday night), The Boeing Company Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.