2025 USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals Recipients Announced

Lexington, Ky.—June 3, 2025—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce Sammie Burke, Addison Cheetham, and Zoie Sherard as the 2025 recipients of the USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals. Through the Grant, these three young riders will get the opportunity to attend and compete at USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall+Sterling, at the Kentucky Horse Park on August 5-10. This unique Grant is made possible by the generosity of Becky and David Gochman and their family.

Burke, 11, of Quincy, Massachusetts, has been riding for six years and competes in the 2'6" Children's Equitation and the Low Children Hunter divisions. She takes every opportunity at her barn to ride everything from miniature horses all the way up to 17.2-hand horses. Her competition highlights include winning Zone Horse of the Year in 2024, a fourth-place finish in the Rhode Island Horseman's Association Mini-Medal, topping the 11 and Under for the Massachusetts Horsemen's Council Mini-Medal, and is an active IEA team member. She is excited to visit the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time, and is eager to learn all that she can to improve her riding over the week. 

"It means the world to me to receive this grant," exclaimed Burke of the news. "I never expected this, and when I found out, I was like 'Oh my gosh! Somebody pinch me!' I never thought it would even be possible for me to go to Pony Finals. The Gochman family does incredible things with this grant, and it allows kids like me to have this amazing opportunity to live out their dream and learn and grow as riders. I would never be going to Pony Finals if it wasn’t for this grant!"

 Cheetham, 13, of El Dorado Hills, California, has been riding since she was 5 years old, and has been competing in Hunter/Jumpers for seven years, where she currently shows in the 3'3" Equitation and Hunter divisions. Despite a challenging 2024 season that included the loss of her Jumper and an injury to her other horse, she takes every opportunity to ride. This includes catch-riding at shows and volunteering at barns in northern California while her horse rehabs. Outside of riding, she is a dedicated performer of the arts through local theatre groups and an active player on her school's volleyball team. 

"Receiving the Gochman Grant means the world to me," Cheetham expressed. "Without this grant, the experience of attending Pony Finals would likely have remained a dream. When I first heard the news, I was completely shocked and felt like I couldn't believe it was real. It's truly an honor to be a recipient alongside two other amazing young riders, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. It shows me that a lot of people believe in me and my love for riding, and I can not wait to make everyone proud. I know this will be an unforgettable memory, and I'm already counting down the days until Pony Finals!"

Sherard, 8, of Encinitas, California, has been riding since she was 6 years old, and competes in the Medium Ponies with her own Velvet. At just their third show together, they qualified for Pony Finals. Sherard is looking forward to gaining knowledge at the clinics offered, watching older competitors ride, and making new friendships during Pony Finals. She aspires to run her own pony business with her mom, specializing in young, green ponies and leasing or selling them when ready to other kids. 

"Receiving this grant is beyond my wildest dreams," Sherard said. "I was excited when my mom suggested I apply for the Gochman Grant, but I knew it was a long shot. The day my mom announced that I had been chosen, I burst into tears. I’ve always dreamed of competing at Pony Finals, and now, thanks to the Gochman family grant, I have a chance. I am counting down the days until Velvet and I get to take the trip to Kentucky!"

This marks the tenth year the USHJA Foundation has provided grants to help riders attend USEF Pony Finals, thanks to the generous support of the Gochman Family. Not strictly monetary in nature, the USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals is experienced-based and each recipient gets the opportunity to compete at USEF Pony Finals, access to professionals for training, enter into available clinics, and be exposed to other educational experiences throughout the week. In addition to financial need, selected riders exemplify the qualities most important in our sport: horsemanship, tenacity, and good sportsmanship.

The Gochman Grant is open to current USHJA members under the age of 18 who have not previously participated in Pony Finals and who would not be able to attend without the assistance the grant provides. Individuals may only be awarded the grant once.

The USHJA sends a special thank you to those helping make this grant possible, including the Gochman Family, Robin Greenwood, Rob Jacobs, and horse donors. All recipients will receive coolers and show shirts provided by The Clothes Horse and Essex. 

For more information about the USHJA Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals, visit ushja.org/gochman. Learn more about all of the grants and scholarships USHJA offers at ushja.org/grants.

Photos: provided by Sammie Burke, Addison Cheetham, and Zoie Sherard