Harrisburg, Pa. – Sophie Gochman of Wellington, Fla., and Carola BH claimed the 2018 Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Champion title at the 73^rd Pennsylvania National Horse Show after posting a combined, three-day total of six faults.

 

“I haven’t really processed it yet,” said Gochman. “I came in here thinking a top-10 finish would be great because it’s such a challenging competition. It’s a nations cup format which I think is great for junior riders to experience. It’s an honor to win it. I never thought it would really happen – it’s crazy!”

 

In the final phase of the championship, scores were carried over from the previous two phases, with the top 17 riders qualifying for Phase III. The riders competed in reverse order of merit, saving the best for last.

 

Gochman was the leader with a two-day score of two faults, five faults ahead of Sloan Hopson, 17, of Huston, Texas, riding her own 10-year-old Zangersheide mare, Costa Rica VH Waterschoot Z. Right on Hopson’s heels was Lily Gottwald, 17, of Richman, Va., riding her own 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Gaston Van T Steentje, and Madison Goetzmann, 17, of Skaneateles, Ny., aboard her own 11-year-old Westphalian gelding, Prestigious.

 

Goetzmann was the first of the top four to compete and was the first rider with a fault-free round. She finished with a three-day score of eight faults, putting her in first place. Gottwald was next and had one time penalty, giving her a score of 8.5 faults and securing at least a bronze medal.

 

Hopson entered the arena next, accumulating six faults for a 13 fault total and giving Gochman the chance to claim the win and move Goetzmann out of the lead. Goetzmann took home the silver medal followed by Gottwald with bronze.

 

Gochman also won the AHSA National Show Jumping Individual Championship Perpetual trophy, and a bronze medal in the Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship Team competition.

 

The 2018 recipient of the William C. Steinkraus Style Award, donated in 2005 by Karen Healey, was awarded to Madison Goetzmann. The award is given to a recipient competing in Prix des States Junior Jumper competition who exemplifies the American style of equitation and sportsmanship.

 

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