World Cup NAL Reflections: Gochman's Grand Finale

Catie Staszak
Feb 17
4 min read

Mimi Gochman and Iron Maiden won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala, the final leg of the 2025/26 North American League season at the World Equestrian Center - Ocala. Photo by FEI/Shannon Brinkman

The North American League season concludes annually at the World Equestrian Center - Ocala in mid-February, and the venue is appropriately named: The facility's Grand Arena sure hosts a grand finale.

From pre-event parachuters landing center ring to artfully decorated fences and a sold-out, standing room-only crowd, the World Equestrian Center pulls out all the stops for the NAL, heightening the emotions of an already important class. With the Finals being held this year in North America, there was no shortage of riders looking to make the most of the last opportunity to qualify; to say the final qualification spots came down to the wire would be a gross understatement.

Mimi Gochman has always been a talented rider, finding success in every division in which she's ever ridden (An illustration of her versatility: The day before the World Cup in Ocala, Gochman rode her family's Daydream to a score of 98 in the hunter ring during WCHR Week in Wellington). The fact that she would win a World Cup in the same weekend isn't totally surprising. What was impressive was the manner in which she did it, handling significant external pressure with unflappable poise.

Coming into Ocala, Gochman, 22 held the last qualification spot for Forth Worth, with several riders hot on her heels to overtake her. Not only did she comfortably secure her place in her first senior championship, but she also produced the only double-clear effort of the entire class—in her first start at the 1.60m height with Iron Maiden, no less—to take the victory.

See you in Fort Worth, Mimi!

"My mom actually taught me to always just focus on the next jump that's ahead of you, the next stride. I try not to think too far ahead, because my mind can spiral. I knew I was needing to get some points to push myself into that last qualification, but I was trying not to think about that too much. I was already a little nervous with this being the horse's first time jumping at the level [with me]...I was just focusing on giving the horse the best experience that I could and not thinking about all the external factors, and that kind of worked out for me." -Mimi Gochman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea7OFR-Flqs

The Winning Call 🎙️: Mimi Gochman & Iron Maiden

Eduardo Menezes & H5 Sport Horses Don't Have Your Average Athlete-Sponsor Relationship

Eduardo Pereira de Menezes & H5 Ozzy vd Bisschop. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

In a world where riders change programs and trainers relatively frequently, Eduardo Menezes' relationship with H5 Sport Horses and the Hank family needs to be celebrated.

Menezes finished second in Ocala with the 12-year-old stallion H5 Ozzy vd Bisschop, a horse that was initially ridden by Carlos Hank Gonzalez when purchased by H5 in September 2024. Menezes became the primary rider last year.

Hank Gonzalez's son, Carlos Hank Guerreiro also jumped Saturday night and at 26 years of age is already an Olympic veteran, jumping at Paris 2024. Menezes has coached the younger Hank from his very first lessons, meaning he has worked with the family for more than two decades.

The partnership began in Mexico, where Menezes first coached Hank Gonzalez and his wife, Sara Maria Guerreiro at the 1.10m and 1.20m levels. They advanced up the grades, and when Hank Guerreiro got older and became serious about the sport, the family organized a one-year expedition to compete in California. That single year turned into a four-year venture. Now H5 Sport Horses splits their time between Wellington, FL and Europe.

"I've been together with [H5 Sport Horses] for 21 years. The Carlos that rode tonight was 4 years old and not interested in horses when I started. I started with his mom and dad, and it's been an incredible relationship, because we have all grown together...For me, they are my sponsors, but they are kind of my family, too." -Eduardo Pereira de Menezes

Stat of the Class: Oaks Milky Way Defies Senior Aging

Hilary Scott & 19-year-old Oaks Milky Way. Photo by Shannon Brinkman

There's only room on the podium for three, but you cannot talk about this class without mentioning the fourth-place finishers, Australia's Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way, who had the winning time but dropped two rails in the process.

Oaks Milky Way jumped a clear first round in this class at age 19—an absolutely remarkable feat.

This partnership is incredibly special, with Scott's family breeding Oaks Milky Way out of their small breeding operation in Australia. This boutique program has reached incredible heights, breeding five horses that have represented Australia at World Championships, World Cup Final, Nations Cups and the Olympic Games. All five are direct descendants of their original four mares.

Among that foundational group was the Jalisco B mare Galaxie Piereville, who was purchased as a broodmare from France in 2004, imported to Australia, and bred to Clearway. That first resulting foal was Oaks Milky Way, who brought Scott to the 2022 World Championships and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Galaxie Piereville also produced Yandoo Oaks Constellation, who jumped at the 2018 World Equestrian Games with Jamie Kermond (AUS).

The Final Standings

Here's who earned their ticket to Fort Worth for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals:

Should one or more of these athletes choose not to attend, substitutions can be made. Therefore, I've included the next athletes that would receive invitations. For example, Kyle King (USA, West Coast) does not intend to go to Fort Worth, meaning Kaitlin Campbell can be expected to receive an invitation.