Ella Bikoff & Garfield Garner Grand Champion Junior Hunter Title at Upperville

On the final day of the 2019 Upperville Colt & Horse Show (UCHS), presented by St. Bride’s Farm, junior hunter competition concluded as riders vied for their division’s top prizes. Ella Bikoff and Garfield were ultimately crowned Grand Champion Junior Hunter, while Mimi Gochman claimed the title of Best Child Rider on a Junior Horse.

Ella Bikoff and Garfield. Photo by Teresa Ramsay Photography. 

Bikoff and Garfield showcased beautiful style in the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunters. They won the handy class and placed first and second in the other over fences classes to claim the championship award. The reserve championship went Kat Fuqua and Cupiodo Z. In addition to the Grand Champion Junior Hunter title, Bikoff and her 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding were also awarded the Marianna Challenge Trophy, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Payne, for winning the most points in their 3’6” division.

“He is older and he is very experienced,” said Bikoff. “He knows what he is doing and that gives me a lot of confidence.”

Garfield has carried many junior riders to championship honors, including Saturday’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Salamander Resort & Spa, winner Samantha Schaefer. Bikoff took over the reins in 2018 and this year marked her first trip to the historic UCHS, where she enjoyed having the opportunity to show the veteran under the oaks in the Main Hunter Ring.

Ella Bikoff and Garfield Earn Junior Hunter Grand Champion. Photo by Phelps Media Group

The award for the Best Child Rider on a Junior Horse was presented to the 2018 Grand Champion Junior Hunter, Mimi Gochman, for her outstanding performances throughout the junior hunter divisions. Gochman was aboard two different mounts in her respective divisions. She earned the reserve championship title with Evermore in the Small Junior Hunters behind Temple Equestrian LLC’s Wisdom, ridden by Grace Debney, who claimed the division championship. Gochman also showed Remarkable in the Large Junior 15 and Under Hunters. She was excited to return to the historic competition before heading to Europe later this month.

Mimi Gochman earns Best Child Rider on a Junior Hunter Horse award. Photo by Phelps Media Group

“I love this show,” Gochman shared. “It’s beautiful. It’s a little different with the trees inside the ring, but I think the horses find it more interesting. It perks them up. I love it — the fresh air, the trees, nature everywhere, it’s not like a huge commercial show. I love this show.”