Mimi Gochman and Cosmos BH Lead the Way in the $226,000 FEI 4* Upperville Jumper Classic

Co-presented by Ethel M. Chocolates® and Lugano Diamonds at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™.

UPPERVILLE, VA — By virtue of slick turns and quick thinking, 19-year-old Mimi Gochman turned in a speedy, efficient jump-off to win the $226,000 FEI 4* Upperville Jumper Classic on her horse Cosmos BH. The 171st Upperville Colt & Horse Show was presented by MARS Equestrian™. The signature class of the week was co-presented by Ethel M. Chocolates® and Lugano Diamonds.

Cosmos BH is an 11-year-old gray stallion owned by Mimi Snow Sport Horse, LLC in Miami, FL. Gochman lives in Palm Beach and has owned Cosmos for two years.

Carly Anthony completed the week, finishing second on Heavenly W, a 12-year-old gelding she’s had for three years. He’s owned by Portfolio Horses, LLC in Wellington, FL. “My horse has had a great week. He’s jumped incredibly,” said Anthony. “I tend to be the slow one in the jump-off and my horse is faster, but today we were a great pair. I’m quite happy with how he went.”

Zayna Rizvi came in third aboard Exquise du Pachis, a 14-year-old mare that Rizvi has had for about three years. Her barn name is “Patchie.” “I’m really happy with her,” said Rizvi. “She was amazing; she has a big stride and she turns really well. Carly and Mimi were just quicker than we were, but I’m very happy with how we went.”

“I was super confident in my horse,” said Gochman, whose horse was back at Upperville after some time off. Gochman said she’d developed a plan for tackling the course after walking it with her trainer. “I gave him the best chance at every jump.” She explained that her strategy for the jump-off was to give her horse the time he needed in specific turns while cutting time out where she knew he would be stronger. She also said she’s been practicing her rollback turns, which proved advantageous in the jump-off.

Gochman has been competing at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show since she rode ponies. Her family makes it an annual family event with her sister and mother also competing. “This is definitely one of our favorite shows,” she added.

UCHS is the oldest horse show in the U.S. Founded in 1853 as a one-day show to encourage better breeding and care of horses, the show has grown to a weeklong tradition with more than 2,000 equestrian and equine pairs competing in a variety of disciplines. Many of the continent’s top professional riders as well as amateurs compete under the spectacular setting featuring the famous oaks at Grafton Farm.

In addition to presenting sponsor MARS Equestrian™, UCHS is sponsored by Ethel M. Chocolates® and Lugano Diamonds (co-presenting sponsors of the 2024 FEI CSI4* Jumper Classic). Other sponsors include Buckeye Nutrition, Nutro Pet Food, Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Delta Air Lines, Markel Insurance, and Piedmont Equine Practice.

For more information on the show, visit upperville.com.

Posted on: June 11, 2024