Kocher and Dundee, owned by The Dundee Group, earned the top honor in the $10,000 Biozyme Inc. 1.35 Meter Prix National, defeating 38 other entries for the title. Kocher and the 11-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood were one of only three horse and rider combinations who managed to traverse Oscar Soberon's first round course without penalty.
Carlos Quinones, the first rider on course would post two clear rounds to put the pressure on Kocher with Michelle Grau's Tasman, an 11-year old Selle Francais. Tasman's time for the jump-off was 39.36 seconds.
From the moment they stepped in the ring, the crowd could tell that Kocher and Dundee were going to try and best the time laid down by Quinones. Kocher picked up a gallop and 38.77 seconds later was at the top of the class.
Eldorado V and Flore Girard were the last horse and rider to successfully contest over the first round, and so were last to go in the jump-off. They would be the only pair with a shot at knocking Kocher from first place. This was not their day as Eldorado V had a rail down for four faults in a time of 42.31 seconds.
"I ride this horse for Rick McGrath," said Kocher after the win. "He is from central Pennsylvania, which is where I am from and he has been a friend of the family since before I was born. This is the first horse he has given me to ride and compete. I jumped him at the Palm Beach Masters then at WEF, then Rick took back. I just got him back in the barn last week, so I thought we would give him a few rounds in the lower division. I am hoping to take him to Spruce Meadows next. I was going to Canada this week but decided to come here instead. This is so much better than Canada. I just hope I didn't use up all my luck before tomorrow's class."
Jadalco and Francesca Bolfo set the standard from the onset in the $1,000 Ramard 1.40 Meter Junior/Amateur Power and Speed Class. First in the ring, they were one of only three horse and rider combinations who managed to turn in a perfect round, clear in the Power phase and clear and fast in the Speed phase. Their time over the second portion of the class was 29.52 seconds giving them the win.