Andrade Catch Rides to Developing Pro Win

In his first competition together with Forever Romance, 28-year-old Michael Andrade rode two beautiful rounds for scores of 91 and 87.83 and a total of 178.83 to win the $10,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge presented by the John R. Ingram Fund. Kelsey Epperson and More Fun, owned by Glade Run Farm LLC, received scores of 89.5 and 87.83 for a 177.33 total and second place. Sarah Moberg rode Thunderbird, owned by India Kulkin, to third place with scores of 87.43 and 88.16 for a 175.59 total.

Andrade qualified for the WCHR Developing Pro Challenge during the summer riding a young horse for trainer Sarah Barge and while he has known Forever Romance for years, he first rode “Flynn,” who also competes in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter 36 & Over division with Becky Gochman, this week.

Michael Andrade used his Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association experience to handily catch ride Forever Romance to victory. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“He's just an incredible horse,” said Andrade of the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Connor. “I'm grateful and lucky enough that I got to show him this evening.”

Discussing his first round, Andrade described, “He was nicely alert; that's what makes him a good jumper. I knew he was with me from the minute I picked up the canter. It was really smooth. He showed off his elegance, and he's so much fun.”

Andrade is no stranger to the WCHR Developing Pro Challenge, having ridden in the class three times and placed fourth in 2022 and sixth in 2023. Taking home the win in his fourth year was meaningful for the rider who turned professional at the age of 21 and worked at Heritage Farm for more than three years.

Michael Andrade and Forever Romance are honored as winners by Ryan Kenny, Whitney Allen, Rachel Kennedy, Becky Gochman, and Jennifer Hinman. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“It’s such a fun class, and over the years of doing it, there is so much camaraderie with the other riders,” he pointed out. “It means a lot for us. We are watching the professionals go out there and do it, and it makes us strive to be better and to ride like them, and hopefully one day win the Pro Challenge too.”