Edited Press Release
World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week during the second week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) kicked off with a tricolor ribbon for Tim Goguen and Triton in the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter division on Thursday. The week offers a lengthy list of competitive hunter classes that will allow competitors to accumulate points towards their overall standings as one of multiple WCHR events throughout the season. The pair produced a clean sweep, winning each of their jumping rounds, and earned second place in the under-saddle class to emerge the clear winners of the division.
“Triton is a recent addition to our team and I only began showing him during the Kentucky Spring Series,” explained Goguen of Garland Alban’s 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. “I competed him in the International Hunter Derby in Kentucky and he placed second, then continued on to do the derbies at Devon, Split Rock, and here as well.”
The move up to the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter division was one that Goguen wasn’t quite sure the gelding was ready for, but he said it seemed to be the obvious choice given his performance over the high options in multiple derbies.
“He has an incredible amount of scope and stride, so I think this division is actually kind of fun for both of us,” Goguen said. “The 3’6” Performance Hunter division is almost too easy for him, therefore we made the decision to move him up last week and he has been doing great. I am very happy with him.”
For Goguen, the addition of a WCHR week to the GLEF line up is just one of many things he enjoys about Traverse City.
“This is not only a great horse show, but a great destination spot as well,” stated Goguen, “so to have a WCHR week here for us hunter riders really makes it the whole package.”
Daniela Casline and Alexa Stiegler’s 13-year-old Westphalian gelding Renoir earned the Reserve Championship honors of the division. The pair picked up a first in the under-saddle division to pair with two second places and two third places over fences which secured them the runner-up position.
