Numerous awards were distributed during the USEF’s Annual Convention, and one of the most exciting honors for the Hunter/Jumper community was the award for National Horse of the Year, presented to the sensational ‘Catch Me‘ owned by David and Becky Gochman.
Catch Me, or “Snoopy,” is a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding who was purchased from Lisa Cudahy, where he was trained by Cookie Beck and Chrystal Knight. In the summer of 2015, he was diagnosed with a case of botulism which almost ended his life.
After making a full recovery, Snoopy went on to end the 2015 show season with multiple champion and reserve champion wins at the major indoor championships. In 2016, he continued his winning ways with Scott Stewart aboard in the Second Year Green Working Hunter division. He also won the WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, which was a first for Stewart, as well.
Snoopy concluded his show season in a dominant fashion when he was Champion at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show, and CP National Horse Show.
Snoopy beat out national candidates competing in driving (a Friesian named Sjanntje) and English Pleasure (a Saddlebred named Top of the Mark).
International Horse of the Year was awarded to Mighty Nice, Phillip Dutton’s mount with whom he won individual bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. [Read more at our sister site, Eventing Nation]
Congratulations to the Gochmans and Snoopy on a marvelous 2016. What will Snoopy conquer next?
Go Snoopy, and Go Jumping.