Cuchica competing at HITS Saugerties in 2016. PC: ESI The Digital Place
Wellington, Fla. – Nov. 21, 2016 – Wyndmont, Inc. is pleased to congratulate student Nicole Loochtan on the purchase of up and coming grand prix super star, Cuchica. Loochtan began riding with Wyndmont’s Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman as a junior, and is looking forward to success in the amateur ranks with the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Beard and Dorman began developing Cuchica when he was just four years old and he competed in his first grand prix event earlier this year.
Beard and Dorman have an impeccable reputation for helping their students achieve their goals and earn top results in the show ring. The pair have developed a solid formula for success over the years: Beard, whose passion is matching talented horses with eager riders, helps the rider gain confidence and perspective in their training, while Dorman uses his classical equitation training to pinpoint exactly what the horse needs to perform at their best.
“I had only ridden Cuchica three times before I decided to buy him,” said Loochtan. “I know that Michael and Ronnie have had him since he was four years old and have taken great care to bring him along, so I had a lot of confidence that I was making the right decision for myself because I really trust them.”
Cuchica has been a talented horse for the team at Wyndmont, who has been carefully developing him over the last five years. Earlier this year, he placed fourth in the $75,000 HITS Saugerties Grand Prix, and when it came time to find the right horse to add to Loochtan’s string, Beard knew Cuchica would be the perfect fit.
“Nicole is a talented student and Cuchica has always been a special horse for us,” said Beard. “Cuchica is brave and careful and has stepped up quite nicely this year. He has a lot of heart and he really wants to win. When the courses get harder he only gets better, and that is very exciting. To have him match so well with one of our own riders is wonderful.”
As an aspiring professional, Loochtan was in the unique position of needing horses that can help her learn and also challenge her to improve as a rider. Under the guidance of Beard and Dorman, Loochtan has been able to make strategic plans for her future and decide which horses in her current string would best help her reach her goals.
“A month ago, we all sat down and discussed the plan for Florida. We decided that I should have two horses that can comfortably help me compete at the higher levels of the sport,” explained Loochtan. “Cuchica is a really competitive horse and although he is quirky, I think that we are going to have a great partnership.”
Loochtan plans to spend the early months of 2017 competing in the Under 25 grand prix’s events as well as a few international level grand prix events to gain experience. “Everything we do and the plans that we make go toward my end goal of becoming a professional,” explained Loochtan. “Every couple of weeks we sit down and discuss what we are doing and why we are doing it in relation to the goal. It is really exciting to get a step closer every week.”
Wyndmont, Inc. offers superior training for professional and amateur athletes and consistently produces top quality jumper and hunter horses. Throughout the year, Beard and Dorman frequently travel with their talented string of horses and clients to compete at many of the nations’ most prestigious horse shows. The pair is passionate about helping their students and horses succeed at the top level of competition and are always open to helping riders find the horse which is best suited to help them meet their unique goals.
To learn more about Wyndmont Inc., their students and more top show horses offered for sale, please visit their website www.wyndmont.com.