Today was a beautiful sunny day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park. Today, the Amateur-Owner Hunter riders competed for the championship honors in the Stonelea Arena as they wrapped-up their second day of competition. Becky Gochman, Tracy Sheriff-Muser, and Kelley Corrigan all scored major victories and took home their respective championship tricolors.

Becky Gochman and Sambalino took home the championship honors in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters. They earned blue ribbons in four out of the five division’s classes, and had two scores of 90 to secure the championship prize.

“That’s the first time I have ever received two 90’s in the same division at the same show. I am so proud of Sambalino and I feel like he is very fit right now and is really enjoying his job,” said Gochman. “He is the kind of horse that goes in there and just wants to win. I am very thankful for riding with Scott (Stewart) and Ken (Berkley) and I feel like they have helped my riding so much so I can allow the horses to do their job. I feel like their efforts with me have paid off.”

Gochman added, “Sambalino is just a very special horse and I know I will never sit on another horse like him. I have had him about a year and a half now. I didn’t show him much last year, so I am really just getting used to him. I feel like he is finally starting to accept me as a rider, and we are starting to gel.”

“I have always shown here, for maybe ten years. It is one of my favorite places. I think it is such a fun friendly place. I enjoy it so much here. It has been very fun,” Gochman concluded.

Reserve championship honors were awarded to John Yozell and Aiden. The pair earned three red ribbons, and a white ribbon for their efforts.

The Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunter Division awarded the championship prize to Tracy Sheriff-Muser and Absolut. The duo has been together for four years. This week, they earned two blue ribbons and two red ribbons, with high scores of 90 and 85 to secure the championship award.

“He was awesome yesterday and today. In the first round, he was on it, he felt incredible. The handy was really good as well, we just had one light rub,” commented Sheriff-Muser. “He feels awesome and I am happy with that, because we are trying to get him ready for Devon.”

The reserve championship was presented to Wesley Newlands and Pure Abundance. Newlands and Pure Abundance received a first, second, and third place ribbons for their efforts.

“I was very pleased with him. My horse couldn’t have been better,” noted Newlands. “I thought they did a really nice job on the courses I enjoyed the handy with all the turns and the trot fence.”

Kelley Corrigan and Good Call earned the championship honors in the 3’3 Amateur-Owner Hunter Division. Corrigan and Good Call earned a blue and red ribbon, and placed in the top five in the other classes as well to secure the championship prize.

“Good Call was so consistent both weeks. She was champion last week too. I am thrilled,” noted Corrigan. “This is only her fourth show this year. Her rounds were so consistent, I couldn’t ask for more. The courses were very different from last week, but I was especially pleased with her, because she is just out of the Pre-Greens and she did the in-and-out, out of the turn and wasn’t phased by it.”

The reserve championship prize was presented to Dawn Fogel and Patron Patrone. The pair earned a first, third, and fourth place ribbons for their work throughout the division this week.

Tomorrow will conclude the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and the Junior Hunter Divisions will award championship honors in the Stonelea Arena. This week features the World Champion Hunter Rider Week that gives riders the opportunity to earn fabulous prize money along with quality points toward year end awards for Pony, Junior, Amateur, Professional, Adult and Children’s hunter riders.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com .

Becky Gochman and Sambalino

Photo: Becky Gochman and Sambalino at the Kentucky Spring Classic Photo Credit: Holly Whiteman Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.