It was a good day for the home team as American riders clinched the win in the inaugural $75,000 CSIO3* FEI Nations Cup on July 24 at Traverse City Horse Shows.
Team USA went wire-to-wire against Team Ireland. But it was 20-year-old American rider Mimi Gochman who was the shining star aboard her longtime partner, Celina BH.
With a fault-free first round and teammate Charlotte Jacobs forcing the need of a tie-breaking jump-off between USA and Ireland, U.S. Chef d’Équipe Anne Kursinski picked Gochman and her 10-year-old mare Canstakko to face-off against Irish rider Simon McCarthy on the 14-year-old mare Gotcha.
Gochman came out on top by nearly a full second faster.
“I went in knowing Simon would be fast, but I definitely had the advantage going second,” said Gochman about her winning round of 38.85 seconds. “I got up to the last an hoped for the best; she always pulls through when I need her to.”
“I’ve known Celina for so long and I think that is why they chose me for this team,” added Gochman of the mount that she debuted at the international level in 2019. “It puts a lot of pressure on, but I enjoy the pressure. Celina knows what the deal is, and she could feel [the pressure] too.”
This was Gochman’s sixth appearance on an FEI Nations Cup team.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Nations Cup team rider; I think it’s important for the sport and a good thing for riders to learn,” she said. “The goal at the end of the day is to be a championship rider. We brought a strong team here, and we all pulled our weight. It was a great day.”
Kursinski praised Gochman for her riding and her development into a top rider over the years.
“The U.S. has a great pathway that we’ve developed over the last ten years and it’s working. I’m so thankful that we have these Nations Cups here [in North America]. For riders to get ready for the Olympic Games and major championships as a top team rider, you have to jump on a lot of teams,” she said. “You can read all the books, and you can watch all the videos, but until you step on the field out there to play, you don’t understand wearing the jacket.”
The American team included Gochman, Jacobs riding Korbach van de Renger, Jacob Pope on High FBH and Mia Bagnato riding Ballyoskill Big Bucks.
This was the first time Traverse City hosted an FEI Nations Cup, as part of its 11th season of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, which also includes six weeks of FEI competition running through Aug. 10. GLEF also features the FEI North American Youth Championships and the return of Major League Show Jumping CSI5* competition to Traverse City.
Ireland’s second place finishing team was led by Chef d’Équipe Darrah Kerins and included riders McCarthy, Philip McGuane aboard Paso Doble SCF, Darragh Kenny on Diaroubet and Conor Swail and Clonterm Obolensky. Team Canada finished third.
The team-based format of the Nations Cup pairs seasoned athletes with rising talent. The Nations Cub event is also a key qualifying opportunity for the GLEF CSIO3* Grand Prix, which happened July 26. American Callie Schott won aboard Garant on Saturday in the $117,000 CSIO3* Grand Prix.
Plan your summer experience at Traverse City Horse Shows, from competition to vacation, now. Book your stalls to reserve your spot.
Photos courtesy of Megan Giese Media / TCHS