Amateur-owner riders took to the StoneLea ring at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, US, (11-16 May) to vie for the title of grand amateur-owner hunter champion. The overall crown was awarded to the competitor with the most points accumulated in the amateur-owner 3’6”, amateur-owner 3’3” 18-35, and the amateur-owner 3’3” 36+ hunter divisions.
Coming out on top was Becky Gochman riding Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s 17-year-old Westphalian gelding Mythical.
Mythical first impressed the judges to win both the over-fences classes with scores of 85 and 83. These two scores, in addition to a second-place finish on the flat, helped set the pace for the remainder of the amateur-owner hunter division the following day, placing the pair in contention for the grand champion honours.
In the final reckoning, Becky and Mythical started the amateur-owner 3’3’’ hunter division with a high score of 86 to secure a first place over fences, before earning a score of 84 to claim a second-place finish in the handy round, securing them the overall grand amateur-owner hunter champion sash.
“He’snot only my longtime partner of 16 years, he’s like a big, lovable puppy dog; when he lies down you can give him a big kiss,” said Becky, of Mythical. “He’s carried both of my girls — Sophie and Mimi Gochman — as well as extended members of the family when they want to ride. He’s the love of our barn.
“I was a little nervous coming into the show because I haven’t shown for quite a long time. I only did a couple of shows at WEF. Truthfully, I felt like I was getting a little burned out with showing as I’ve done it for so long but I feel like I had a new spirit while riding here at Kentucky.
“Mythical and I had a blast; he really knows what he’s doing. It was a real thrill to be here.”
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
