Brian Walker Takes Over the Reins at Old Salem Farm
RELEASE: September 16, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Classic Communications
Old Salem Farm is proud to announce that Brian Walker has joined the farm's exemplary team as head trainer and rider. Walker brings an impressive resume of accomplishments to Old Salem Farm. After winning major championships in Canada and the Northeast, Walker spent his last junior years with renowned trainer Missy Clark at her famed North Run. With her guidance, he won many equitation titles, including the 2001 ASPCA Maclay Finals.
Amassing numerous wins in both the jumper and hunter ring, Walker also started his grand prix career under Clark's tutelage. He was fortunate to catch ride for many leading professionals, including Olympic veterans Laura Kraut, Peter Wylde, Anne Kursinski and Margie Engle, as well as Tommy Serio, who appreciated Walker's ability to ride and show their sales horses, no matter their degree of difficulty.
"I am extremely excited to be joining the team at Old Salem Farm," said Walker. "Old Salem has a cherished history as a leading show and training facility. I have been fortunate to work with some of our sport's leading trainers, and I look forward to using what I have learned with Old Salem Farm's clientele."
Following his Maclay win, Walker went to work for Todd Minikus, riding and showing some of his young horses. He then moved to Peter Leone's Lionshare Farm to manage the junior and amateur riders at home and on the road.
After several seasons, he decided he needed to learn another aspect of the horse business and got a job working for Dutch Olympic veteran Jan Tops, not only a leading European rider but also one of the most successful horse dealers in the world. Walker had the opportunity to ride some high-quality horses for Tops and showed in several national and international horse shows around the world.
In 2006, he returned to the U.S. to take over the training position at Woodside Farm in New Jersey where he was until his move to Old Salem Farm.
Walker's decision to make the newly renovated facility at Old Salem Farm his home base is the next step in the farm's re-emergence as the top riding, training and show facility in the area. Walker will bring a number of clients and horses with him to Old Salem Farm and will open up the Old Salem Farm facility to others who wish to join him in his pursuit of excellence.
"Brian will be a wonderful addition to the Old Salem Farm experience," said Old Salem Farm President Scott Hakim. "His ability to develop horses and riders is respected by all who know him and his expertise, dedication and work ethic will play a major role in our achieving our goal of bringing Old Salem Farm back as a full service training facility and a spectacular year-round show venue."
Old Salem Farm will be hosting the 2009 ASPCA Maclay Region 2 Finals, and to that end, recently brought in Oliver Hoberg, FEI-confirmed footing consultant for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, to oversee the preparation of new footing for the indoor arena. This will ensure that the Finals and this winter's indoor series of horse shows will be contested on the finest surface for all the participants.
Old Salem Farm has a long history of hosting elite horse shows for the nation's top horses and riders and over the years has hosted selection trials for U.S. teams for World Championships and Olympic Games. Over the past year, the Farm also put in new all-weather footing in two outdoor show rings plus the schooling area to go along with its traditional all-grass grand prix field.
Old Salem Farm is located one hour north of New York City. In addition to its year-long horse show series that includes 20 horse shows in addition to its flagship spring horse shows, it maintains luxury stabling facilities for year-round boarding, and offers training for all levels of riders, as well as horses for sale and lease.
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