Devon, Pa. – June 3, 2017 – Since Tuesday, international horses and riders have been competing for valuable points towards the week’s coveted Open Jumper Championship, sponsored by the Capital Grille King of Prussia. Following Wednesday’s second place finish in the $40,000 Devon International Speed Stake CSI4* and Friday’s win in the $35,000 Devon Speed Challenge CSI4*, David Gochman’s Lady Maria BH, ridden by Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire, was crowned the 2017 Open Jumper champion and winner of the Little Big Man Challenge Trophy with 16 points at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on Saturday evening.
With the addition of her third place finish in Thursday’s $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI4*, and with a total of 22 points, Derbyshire was also awarded the Leading Open Jumper Rider and Leading Lady Rider trophies: the Orchard Lodge Perpetual Trophy and the Carol Hofmann Thompson Leading Lady Rider Challenge Trophy.
Prior to Saturday’s championship awards ceremonies, the final class of the Open Jumper division, the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake CSI4*, sponsored by the Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar — Radnor, was held in the Dixon Oval, which saw 37 entries turn out to compete.
Seven exhibitors cleared Kelvin Bywater’s first round course to advance to the tiebreaking jump-off round. Yet it was 19-year-old Katherine Strauss (USA) and All In, owned by Katherine Strauss, LLC, who bested the world-class field of international horses and riders to claim her first jumper win and the John Wanamaker Perpetual Trophy at the Devon Horse Show, after just aging out of the junior divisions in December.
Strauss and All In also tied for reserve champion honors with 15 points in the Open Jumper Championship with McLain Ward (USA) and Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms.
Earlier in the afternoon, the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic took center stage in the Dixon Oval to close out the Amateur-Owner Jumper division at the Devon Horse Show.
Out of 24 entries, Adrienne Marciano of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, rode to the top of the leaderboards aboard her own Laspari as the only double-clear finisher of the class in 40.515 seconds to claim the Good Enough Challenge Trophy. As a result of her top finishes throughout the week, Marciano also wrapped up her week at Devon with Laspari with the Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship for the second time, after also winning the championship in 2014, and the Leading Amateur-Owner Jumper award, which included the Goblin Challenge Trophy and the Marshall-Hale Perpetual Trophy. Reserve champion of the Amateur-Owner Jumper division went to Jennifer Jones and and Andrew Kocher’s Honfleur.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) – Open Jumper Champion
On Saturday’s championship win:
“I’m ecstatic. I had a pretty nice show here last year and this has really been everything I’ve been dreaming of. All of our hard work really paid off this week. It’s moments like this where it’s all worth it. The crowd here is like no other. I don’t think any of the shows that we’ve been to are quite like this so that makes it special when you know the crowd is behind you. The [Gochman] kids showed here last weekend and they were champion and grand champion. Then Becky, who owns the horses, was also champion and grand champion so that means all four of us got a piece of Devon this year, which is incredible!”
On the Devon Horse Show and coming to America:
“I’ve been coming to Devon for the last seven years and I’ve shown here for the last two years. Becky and the kids have shown here for as long as I can remember. I came to America when I was 21 for three months, and never left! I go home a couple of times a year, but my family is happy for me. Now with all of the technology they stay up and watch me on the livestream so they’re not missing out.”
Katherine Strauss (USA) – $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake CSI4* Winner
On her win:
“This is my first year as an amateur and my first year at Devon senior week so this is a really exciting start. I’m definitely really humbled to be competing against all of these incredible riders who are here. I have a lot of confidence in my horse, so I have confidence walking into the ring, but never expect anything in this sport, especially competing against such incredible riders.”
On All In:
“I’ve had All In since the beginning of 2014 and for the last few years I’ve mostly shown him in the junior jumpers and U25 classes. He’s an unbelievable horse. I’m so lucky to have him. He is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood with a massive, very fast stride. He’s really scopey and careful so the Dixon Oval, being such a big ring, definitely plays to his strengths. He is a very serious competitor and can be kind of grumpy back in the barn. He definitely likes things his way but when it’s time to compete he really knows his job and goes all in every time. He is a wonderful horse and I’m so lucky!”
On her long term goals:
“All In is definitely a big part of the picture moving forward! I love riding, it’s what makes me happiest. I would love to do this professionally one day and dream about jumping really big classes all over the world. I’m really lucky to have my trainer, Beezie Madden, as a role model. She definitely sets the standard high and gives me something to dream of and aspire to. I would love to one day be able to represent our country in big Nations Cup events, but it’s a long way before I get there. Short term, I have graduation next week, then I go to Calgary for a few weeks and then Europe. Then I start college at Vanderbilt University in August.”
On the Devon Horse Show:
“I’ve competed at Junior Week here since I was doing the medium ponies in 2009, and I’ve come every year since. I’ve never won a jumper class until this year so to finally come here and have this outcome, I’m thrilled and couldn’t be more grateful to my horse.”
Adrienne Marciano – $20,000 SJHOF Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Winner
On Laspari:
“He’s super rideable. That’s where I have an advantage. He has a really big stride and you can leave one out, but then you can set him up and add one too. That’s really where I have the advantage in the jump-offs. Now he’s 12 years old so he’s more experienced. He just showed off today; he really loves it here. He loves the atmosphere.”
On her second time winning the Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship:
“I never thought it would happen again on the same horse. There are so many factors involved. Luck has to be on your side. I know Laspari is amazing, and I always go into the ring pretty confident. My whole family was here tonight and I didn’t want to disappoint them. They came in 2014 as well. They support me but don’t expect anything. I think they’re super happy with it just as I am!”
RESULTS
$50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake CSI4*, sponsored by Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar — Radnor:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / R1 Faults / Time / R2 Faults / Time
1. All In / Katherine Strauss / USA / Katherine Strauss, LLC / 0 / 70.41 / 0 / 39.03
2. Thornhill Kate / Laura Chapot / USA / Mary and Laura Chapot / 0 / 68.47 / 0 / 41.17
3. Crown 5 / Georgina Bloomberg / USA / Gotham Enterprizes, LLC / 0 / 69.99 / 0 / 44.86
4. Stranger 30 / Andrew Ramsay / USA / The Stranger Group / 0 / 67.36 / 4 / 39.66
5. Eddie Blue / Devin Ryan / USA / LI Show Jumpers, LLC / 0 / 68.02 / 4 / 40.32
6. Le Conte / Andrew Kocher / USA / Andrew Kocher / 0 / 71.81 / 4 / 40.63
7. Calista / Vasco Flores / PR / Gotham Enterprizes, LLC / 0 / 71.45 / 4 / 43.38
8. MTM Reve Du Paradis / Tracy Fenney / USA / MTM Farm / 1 / 72.70
9. Uppie De Lis / Hayley Waters / USA / Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters / 4 / 66.30
10. Cocq A Doodle / Andrew Ramsay / USA / The Doodle Group / 4 / 66.61
11. Quointreau Un Prince / Laura Chapot / USA / Laura Chapot and McLain Ward / 4 / 67.65
12. Prof De La Roque / Andrew Kocher / USA / Postage Stamp Farm, LLC / 4 / 68.96
$20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / Time / R2 Faults / Time
1. Laspari / Adrienne Marciano / Adrienne Marciano / 0 / 71.216 / 0 / 40.515
2. Attention Et Z / Callie Smith / Smithfield Farms, LLC / 0 / 72.145 / 4 / 37.767
3. Colorado / Tegan Elizabeth Treacy / Tegan Elizabeth Treacy / 0 / 75.778 / 4 / 38.132
4. Mae / Noel Fauntleroy / Noel Fauntleroy / 0 / 74.365 / 4 / 39.734
5. Coming Up / Gina Plantz / Gina Plantz / 0 / 77.060 / 4 / 42.031
6. Coconut Z / Jean Sheptoff / Jean Sheptoff / 0 / 77.098 / 8 / 40.683
7. Boy Blue / Tara Corr / Tara Corr / 0 / 75.945 / 8 / 43.243
8. Dakota / Callie Seaman / Callie Seaman / 0 / 73.834 / 12 / 44.649
9. Capacity / Katherine Strauss / Katherine Strauss, LLC / 0 / 71.513 / 20 / 41.771
10. Everything / Kelsey Thatcher / Pony Lane Farm / 0 / 73.125 / ELIM
11. Kistler / Darby Toben / Doreen Toben / 3 / 80.640
12. Idalie Van Hoperheide / Hayley Waters / Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters / 4 / 68.224
Becky Gochman and Catch Me Carve Names in Devon History with Devon Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship
While professional hunter rider Scott Stewart has been bringing Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Catch Me through the ranks for the past two years, guiding him to immense success including back-to-back wins in the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, the reins have been passed to owner, Becky Gochman, at last. The fast-forming partnership began this year and the pair proved to be in sync at the 2017 Devon Horse Show, where they took the championship prize and the Morris H. Dixon Memorial Challenge Trophy in the older section of the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunters with a total of 40 points.
The first half of the division took place on Friday morning, where Gochman brought her horse to the Dixon Oval winner’s circle after taking first place in the initial over fences round with the high score of 92. The duo just missed the blue by one point in the second over fences round behind class winners John Ingram and Koala, who earned an 86. Catch Me then went on to win the undersaddle, impressing judges with his stunning looks and impeccable movement.
The 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding was third in the handy with an 85 on Saturday morning, and an outstanding 91 in the stake round landed them in first place once more and made them the recipients of the Royal Gunner Challenge Trophy. Furthermore, Gochman will have her name engraved on the Bond Street Perpetual Trophy and the Thorndike Duncan Memorial Perpetual Trophy after Catch Me secured the prestigious honor of being named the Devon Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion, while Gochman was awarded the Devon Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider.
Catch Me was also awarded the Sambalino Award and Sambalino Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Gochman family in memory of Becky’s beloved hunter Sambalino, who passed away in 2014 due to colic. Judges felt Catch Me was deserving of the trophy, which is given to the hunter who best exemplifies the classic hunter horse in movement, style and presence.
Reserve honors in the older section of the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter division went to Ingram and his own Airport 48 with 18 points.
In the younger section of the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter division, championship ribbons were pinned on the bridles of Carla and First Light. The leading combination from Friday, Jaime Auletto and Carla, owned by Auletto’s mother Suzanne, continued their winning performances to claim the championship, sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott, and the James J. Fallon Memorial Challenge Trophy on Saturday with 28 points. The reserve tricolor was presented to Stephanie Danhakl and her own First Light, who finished with 21 points.
Over in the Gold Ring, which was recently renamed the Wheeler Ring on Friday evening, the younger Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter division saw Martha Ingram ride John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC’s Lyons Creek Bellini to the championship ribbon and the Kelly Lynn Parker Perpetual Trophy. Following closely behind were reserve champions, Danhakl and her own Enough Said. Ingram was also presented the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Grand Champion award as well as the Jenepher McLean Kelly Challenge Trophy for her efforts throughout Friday and Saturday.
In the older section of the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter division, Virginia Fout and her own Carma were crowned champions, while Tina Allen and her own Galaxy were awarded reserve champion honors.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Becky Gochman
On Catch Me transitioning from the professional to amateur-owner hunter divisions:
“As everyone knows, Catch Me has been an unbelievable horse in the professional divisions and I always hoped he would do the amateurs. After he won the first [$100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach] Hunter Spectacular, I said to myself, ‘He jumps so great. I really think he’s going to be a professional horse.’ I started riding him a little bit and we got better and better and were even circuit champion at WEF. He has just come into his own as an amateur horse. I feel like we have a very close relationship.”
On Catch Me:
“He’s a magical unicorn. He just wants to land the leads, go out there on a loose rein, jump up and show off his trot at the end of the round. He’s an incredible horse. I’ve had some nice horses but he’s definitely one of the nicest. Cookie [Beck] brought him along as a youngster and is famous for bringing her horses along slowly and properly.”
On winning the Sambalino Perpetual Trophy:
“To win the Sambalino award was just amazing because I am a true believer that Sambalino is with me when I ride. I know he is. I just feel him. I try to give my horses the most positive vibes and intentions; I think that has really paid off.”
On the Devon Horse Show:
“Devon has always been really special because this is the first show I ever attended as a youngster when I was 6 years old. I love the horses and the candy booth and I so enjoy sharing Devon with my kids now. It just gives me a thrill to see their happiness. I have so many memories of my kids on ponies here, and now the junior hunters. Amanda [Derbyshire] has been doing great here too this year. Devon has pretty much always been a special show for all of us. Maybe our team can feel that, maybe the horses can feel that. It’s a special place and a special town and it’s been a lot of fun coming here through the years.”
Mike Goebig Returns to Devon to Win English Pleasure Saddle Seat Championship with Miz Saturn Star
The Devon Horse Show hosted the English Pleasure Saddle Seat Championship for the second time since the show’s inception 121 years ago when it first opened the Dixon Oval to multiple breeds. Among the Saddlebreds, Friesians and Morgans competing, one Morgan rose above the rest, which was Good Morgan, LLC’s Miz Saturn Star.
Mike Goebig of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, first entered the Dixon Oval in 1954 to compete in leadline, and it wasn’t until Saturday evening that he would make his second appearance in the famed arena. While this was Goebig’s first year back in the Dixon Oval, this will be Miz Saturn Star’s final year as she will be bred this year and retired from competing.
Goebig and Miz Saturn Star were awarded the championship cooler, presented by Misdee Wrigley Miller, for their win. Reserve champion in the English Pleasure Saddle Seat division went to Kimberly Earlywine and Elaine Earlywine’s CH Surprise Kiss.
In the Three-Gaited English Show Pleasure Horse division, it was Amanda Murchison and her own CH Spread The Word who earned the championship as well as the Second Dennis Mayer Memorial Challenge Trophy. The reserve champion in the Three-Gaited English Show Pleasure Horse division was awarded to Nancy Ehle and her own CH Trust In Love.
Wrapping up the evening’s events, the Hackney/Harness Pony Championship as well as the Third Kenneth Horner Memorial Challenge Trophy was presented to John Wrather and Charlotte Wrather’s The Remington. Reserve champion went to Kristen Cater and Spann Equine LLC’s Mimi.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Mike Goebig
On returning to compete at the Devon Horse Show:
“I showed here at Devon in 1954 in leadline and this is my first time back in the ring since then. I’ve put amateurs in the ring and our Morgan’s won last year here, but this is the first time that I’ve gotten to compete with them here. We had three here tonight. It’s a great win — very big.”
On Miz Saturn Star:
“Miz Saturn Star is 14. She’s gone to our world championships for eight years and she’s won a qualifier for a world championship every year for eight years. This is her last year. She’s going to be bred this year and retire.”
On the Devon Horse Show:
“The crowds and enthusiasm are amazing. The people are pretty knowledgeable at this point, they are seasoned audiences, so it’s really nice!”
