Press release from Upperville Colt Horse Show 

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 (Chellano Alpha Z x Artos Z). 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 grey stallion owned by Mimi Snow Sport Horse LLC in Miami, Fla. Gochman lives in Palm Beach and has owned Cosmos for two years.

Carly Anthony completed the week finishing second riding Heavenly W (Calvaro F.C. x Quidam de Revel), a 12-year-old gelding she’s had for three years. He’s owned by Portfolio Horses, LLC in Wellington, Fla. “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 (Vagabond de la Pomme x Ogano Sitte), 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 has done really well and was back at Upperville after a little time off. Gochman said she had 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 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.