October 21, 2026 – Upper Marlboro, MD
Amateur-Owner Hunter riders highlighted the third day of competition on Wednesday, October 21, at the 2026 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) presented by MARS Equestrian™. Sophie Gochman swept her division and took home the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship with Daydream. Brittany Schutt and Charming Boy were the second big winner of the day after they captured the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Championship.
Sophie Gochman soared to top placings in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Sophie Gochman and Daydream Dominate Amateur-Owner 3’6 Hunters
Making a victorious return to WIHS, Sophie Gochman of West Palm Beach, FL, piloted Daydream to the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship to start off the day.
The pair produced the win in both the classic and handy round of the Amateur-Owner 3’6” 18-35 division and took second in the stake class. Their winning performances earned them the division championship while Gochman was also reserve champion with her 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Colter.
The win was one in a list of many for the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Mosito van het Hellehof, owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, who was champion of the same division in 2025 with Sophie’s sister, Mimi Gochman. Mimi also was reserve champion with Colter in 2025.
Sophie Gochman returned to the winner’s circle with Daydream, who was champion last year with Gochman’s sister Mimi.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
“She’s just really so easy,” described Gochman. “At home I said, ‘Oh, I think I can canter her with no hands, and so we’ve just been riding around with no hands and just popping around the jumps. She’s so easy on herself and so chill.”
For the first time in a long time, Gochman felt she was able to get back into her riding routine before attending a major event, having returned to the U.S. in April after getting her Masters degree in London.
“We’ve had a lot of the spring and the whole summer to work toward this,” she explained. “I’ve been coming to WIHS probably since I was seven years old, maybe younger, so it means a lot to win here today, especially after the handy course because that was quite the challenge.”
Brittany Schutt is making dreams come true with Charming Boy, a horse she started as a five-year-old.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Brittany Schutt Makes Her Mark with Charming Boy in Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunters
Rounding out hunter competition in The Show Place Arena, Brittany Schutt of Hume, VA, and her own seven-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Charming Boy, stood proudly in the Delta Winners Circle as the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter champions.
The win was one of Schutt’s biggest milestones to date as she made her amateur debut at WIHS during her first indoor season.
“I’ve never really had the nice horses to be able to do this at this level,” Schutt remarked. “It’s been a privilege all year to be able to be out there and be competitive.”
Brittany Schutt and Charming Boy charmed the judges to end up in the Delta Winner’s Circle.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Schutt has only ever attended WIHS as a regional-qualified rider many years ago during a period when she worked as a young professional. As Schutt explains, stepping away and being able to return with a horse like Charming Boy and the tutelage of trainer Amanda Steege has been an incredible experience.
“I imported him as a five-year-old from Europe and started him myself,” she detailed. “Amanda has helped me bring him along to what he is right now, and he’s really just the best. He goes around so beautifully, he carries his ears forward, he’s a great jumper, and he even gets you a good hack ribbon. He’s everything you look for in an amateur or a professional horse.”
Schutt and Charming Boy earned the champion ribbon in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 & Over division as well as the leading rider honors for the division.
Grace Wilson and Ocean Road jumped to champion honors.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter
Leading Amateur-Owner 3’6” Rider
Amateur-Owner 3’6” 18-35
Champion: Daydream, Sophie Gochman, Gochman Sport Horse LLC
Reserve Champion: Colter, Sophie Gochman, Sophie Gochman
Amateur-Owner 3’6” 36 & Over
Champion: Union City, Brittany Schutt, Brittany Schutt
Reserve Champion: MTM Plus One, Katie Robinson, Robinson Ridge LLC
Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter
Leading Amateur-Owner 3’3” Rider
Bucky Reynolds Memorial Award
Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 & Over
Champion: Charming Boy, Brittany Schutt, Brittany Schutt
Reserve Champion: Casallo, Maryann Zeira, Maryann Zeira
Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35
Champion: Ocean Road, Grace Wilson, GW Equine LLC
Reserve Champion: Remedy, Stella Propp, Aquitaine Equine
Exciting evening entertainment at the 2026 WIHS begins on Thursday, October 23, but the day begins with junior hunters, followed by 1.20-1.25m Junior/Amateur Jumpers and the next class in the CSI2* division. Opening Night A Salute to Service starts with the international jumpers in the $63,000 Welcome Stake and the $63,000 Stars and Stripes Speed Stake. The entertaining Racing Presidents from the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team will run the jump-off course for the opening class of the night. Don’t miss a minute – buy your tickets now at www.wihs.org/tickets.
