B7
Kocher's My Pick to ride in 2011 Steeplechase by Barbara Childs
Susan Kocher will enter her but you can hear kind voices thoroughbred, My Pick, in this giving you encouragement and year’s Steeplechase at Fence. telling you that you will be just Kocher rode in the 2005, 2006 fine. I had groups of people and 2007 races in the foxhunt- praying for our safety. How ers cup division and won all nice is that?” three. Kocher’s husband, Kelly, In 2005, Kocher rode Atti- develops the training program. cus Finch, True Phenomenon in “He tells me what to work 2006 and Interpelador in 2007. on in a quiet and thoughtShe filled the race last year on ful way. He is a phenomenal a very slow Holsteiner named trainer and has a great way in Jasmine. developing each horse,” she “ We w e r e said. “He told me so slow I could one time when we make out the fac- Steeplechase were first married es of my friends participants that each horse on the rail,” Koin the barn is a cher said. She co-worker. Some said the horse was very easy are hard workers, but not to ride since they were barely that talented, some are young moving. and insecure and need to be “What I love the most about nurtured to reach their full the steeplechase is that you can potential. Some are arrogant make your childhood dreams and talented and need to be come true five minutes away handled firmly. I never forgot from home! As a kid I watched about that. It makes me smile all of the racehorse movies thinking about him at the barn and dreamt of being a jockey,” with all his co-workers! Kelly Kocher said. makes absolutely sure that the Kocher said she grew four horse is fit for race day. It is inches in her freshman year the most important thing to of high school, which caused him.” her dad to think she needed to My Pick is a 12–year–old select a new dream to pursue. American Thoroughbred geldKocher remained adamant ing. He was foaled in Virginia. though. His dam is D’or. The Kochers "I followed the career of have his Jockey Club papers Julie Krone, and I always but no races were listed for loved the thought of galloping him. Rodney Jenkins gave in a race. I also love how the this horse to the Kocher’s son, whole town comes together Michael. He is an excellent and how supportive people are jumper and he gets regular when you are walking toward workout on the flat and over the starting line. It is so scary, jumps.
Kocher and My Pick. (photo submitted)
“What I love the most about the steeplechase is that you can make your childhood dreams come true five minutes away from home! As a kid I watched all of the racehorse movies and dreamt of being a jockey”
-- Susan Kocher
Appointments • April 2011 • p. 19