John Ingram Tops 3’6” Division
Martha’s father, John, added to the Ingram family’s achievements after he and Dicoblue PS were named grand champions. Ingram and Dicoblue PS were first and third over fences and won the under saddle to win the Amateur-Owner 3’6” 36 & Over Hunter division, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare and he was reserve champion as well on Odette.
John Ingram and Dicoblue PS accepted the Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Dicoblue PS was named the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Champion, sponsored by Finally Farm, and the pair received the Dr. Harold M.S. Smith Trophy donated by Dr. Suzanne Smith and Dr. Peter Craig. Ingram was presented with the Best Amateur-Owner 3’6” Rider Award sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Oare and awarded The So Many Ways Challenge Trophy donated by Karen Kramer.
Dicoblue PS, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Diarado’s Boy, rested after competing at Traverse City Horse Shows this summer, but Ingram felt he was in good form coming into Capital Challenge.
“It’s a tough division with so many really good horses and great riders,” he conceded. “There are just small differences between the top and the middle and the bottom, so you really have to be on it. We had a couple of rubs yesterday, and that's one of those small things that can make a big difference. Today I took that extra split second to give him a chance to jump a clean jump and not be pressing if I'm a little anxious.”
Watching videos of Tori Colvin on Dicoblue PS helped John Ingram prepare for a grand champion performance.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Ingram said that when he needs a refresher on piloting “Dico,” he watches videos of Tori Colvin on the horse. He explained, “I just need to watch Tori and then do what she does – or try to do that. She makes it look easy, but we all know it's not so easy.”
Ingram added, “I have to say kudos to my daughter, Martha. I think she rode the best I've ever seen her ride the last couple of days. She works at it, and she cares about it. We both love our horses, and we're for them as much as we're for ourselves.”
The Marshall + Sterling Best Amateur-Owner 3’6” Trip of the Show went to Sophie Gochman and Daydream, who scored 89.5.
The Marshall + Sterling Best Amateur-Owner 3’3” Trip of the Show was awarded to Yesterday, ridden by Margot Peroni to 89.75.
Victory in the $2,500 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’3” Challenge sponsored by Milestone, LLC/Havens Schatt went to Martha Ingram and Romeo. Irene Neuwirth and Daffodil won the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner 3’6” Challenge sponsored by Robinson Ridge. Brianne Goutal was the winner of the In Disguise WCHR Trainer Award sponsored by Jim and Ellen Toon of JT Farm. The Grey Slipper Award was presented to Private Practice and the Ingram Family.
Additional champions included:
Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 36 & Over
Sponsored by MKG Equestrian
Champion: Riverland Z, ridden by Katie Robinson, owned by Robinson Ridge LLC
Reserve: Endgame, ridden and owned by Cece Williamson
Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35
Sponsored by The Hallman Family and MerryLegs South LLC
Champion: Colter, ridden and owned by Sophie Gochman
Reserve: Daydream, ridden by Sophie Gochman, owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC
The 2026 CCHS continues on Friday, October 2, with the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals, the presentation for the Grand Adult Hunter Champion, as well as the $30,000 WCHR Professional Finals, presented by World Wide Technology, and the start of the junior and pony hunters.