Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show Week Two Highlights
RELEASE: May 21, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Classic Communications
Friday, May 15, 2009Competing on the expansive and beautifully landscaped grass field of Old Salem Farm, 25 horse-and-rider combinations vied for the top prize in the $25,000 Grand Prix of North Salem held during the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show. Irishman Darragh Kerins with Night Train, owned by the Double H Farm of Wellington, FL, were the first to go clear in the initial round and returned to the jump-off and set a blazing time of 34.058 seconds to win the class.
The course, designed by Anthony D'Ambrosio, didn't look as if it was going to be as difficult as it turned out to be. There were several fences, including a two-stride towards the in-gate and down a slight slope that caught many a competitor. The course was so technical that only five horses were able to complete it fault free in the first round, two of those incurring time faults to eliminate them from a jump-off.
Kerins, McLain Ward with Sagamore Farm's Rothchild and Holly Orlando aboard Great Pleasure owned by Scott Hakim and Old Salem Farm, were in that order going clear in the first round, returned to the jump-off in that order and finished the same way.
Kerins and Night Train have had numerous successes in grand prix competition, including qualifying for FEI World Cup Finals representing Ireland. The 10-year-old little chestnut is fast and careful, but the best thing about him, said Kerins, "is his heart!"
Rothchild and Ward posted a clear round in the jump-off in a time of 36.250 for second place. Great Pleasure's big stride ate up the distance between the fences, but after an awkward landing at the double combination Orlando pulled up to save the horse for Sunday's $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix. Even though they retired on course, they still placed third in the class.
Saturday, May 16, 2009The amateur-owner and adult amateur hunters had their moments in the sun at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows over the beautiful jumps in the spectacular sand hunter ring at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Stephanie Riggio was once again the big winner in the amateur owner hunter 18-35 division with her faultless Indian Summer. Riggio won three classes and was second place in the other two of the division to decisively claim the championship.
Teri Kessler was all smiles as she walked into the ring to accept the top honors in the amateur owner 35 & over division. She won both the championship and reserve championship with her horses Carita and Pavarotti. Carita was champion in the division with Kessler during the first week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.
It was truly a family affair at the ring for the Kesslers, as husband Murray was in charge of the hoof oil and daughter Reed was giving the horses a good scratch behind their ears for their winning efforts.
The Grand Amateur Owner Hunter Championship eluded Kessler this week; she earned a total of 35 points towards the big prize, but Riggio and Indian Summer were the best of the best with a total of 42 points to be named Grand Amateur Owner Hunter Champion, an award she had to concede to Kessler the week before.
King Lear and owner/rider Laura Montross were named the Grand Amateur Adult Hunter Champions after their sweep of the adult amateur hunter 46 and over division, edging out Tom Terrific and Sarah Cohen, who were the adult amateur hunter 18-35 division champions, and It's a Wrap and Sloan Brown who were victorious in the adult amateur hunter 36-45 division.
Catherine Pasmore of White Hall, VA, had a very successful day at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. The overcast skies just meant that the horses and riders were a little cooler as they navigated the long and winding outside course on the grounds of Old Salem Farm.
Pasmore started her day by winning the high junior/amateur jumper class with Charlie Z, owned by Laura King of Irvington, NY. A bit late