For Immediate Release
Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
North Salem, NY – May 20, 2015 – As a line formed for an autograph signing with grand prix riders on Sunday, The Hakim Family was proud to welcome spectators and exhibitors to The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows which wrapped two weeks of perfect weather, top-level competition and a schedule full of spectator activities.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows ran May 5-10 and May 12-17 at the picturesque Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The shows featured over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week, bringing together top competitors, including Olympic show jumpers, from all corners of the country to compete for more than $500,000 in prize money.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Shows from above.
To watch competition videos, live interviews and behind-the-scenes photos from the shows, visit The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows on Facebook.
Competition on The Grand Prix Field had weather on its side with sunny skies and minimal rain throughout the two-week circuit. Double H Farm took advantage of the optimal conditions with win after win. They took blue in five of the marquee events on the field with Mclain Ward of Brewster, NY, also pocketing the $20,000 Leading Rider Challenge Award at the conclusion of the event.
“The management [at Old Salem Farm] is always perfecting the field and the grounds – we love coming here. It’s our ‘home’ show and a very special place,” said Ward. “I probably don’t say it enough, but people like myself, Quentin [Judge] and our new rider Maggie [McAlary] are lucky to have such supportive owners. It was a great two weeks for Double H [Farm] and the The Harrison Family.”
Mclain Ward and HH Carlos Z
Switzerland’s Beat Mändli and Zander kicked off two weeks of exciting competition with a win in the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake before Ward stepped up to collect the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group with HH Azur, and then the $35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, presented by Karina Brez Jewelry, and $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, both with HH Carlos Z. Meanwhile, Judge and HH Dark De La Hart raced to the top of both the $15,000 and $20,000 Speed Derbies, presented by Miller Motorcars.
Georgina Bloomberg signs a fan’s shirt during the autograph signing.
In the hunter rings, Holly Orlando of Wellington, FL collected enough high-performance championships, including Grand Hunter Champion during Week 2, to be claim the $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award. Also, Darby Mazzarisi of Chesterfield, NJ, was two-for-two as Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion aboard her own Gemology. Hannah Isop of Pawling, NY, rode to a historic first for both her and Tracy Freels’ Red Ryder. They jumped to their first-ever $10,000 USHJA Unternational Hunter Derby, win, which was presented by the Gochman Family. Victoria Colvin and Betsee Parker’s Clearway led the way in equitation competition and were the ones to beat in the $5,000 Equitation Challenge, presented by EquiFit, Inc.
With impressive crowds on both grand prix Sundays and live streaming of all weekend events, The Old Salem Farm Spring Shows were available to local, national and international spectators like never before. “Competition inside the rings was great sport, but it was also showcased to more people than ever – both to horse sport fans and those who have never seen show jumping before,” said Alan Bietsch of Old Salem Farm. “We are already making exciting plans for next year and can’t wait to welcome competitors back to Old Salem Farm.”
The crowd on the bank of The Grand Prix Field.
To enjoy highlights from The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, on-demand viewing of each week’s Friday-Sunday events is available at www.usefnetwork.com.
Like Old Salem Farm and Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows on Facebook.
Follow @oldsalemfarmny on Twitter.
Follow @oldsalemfarmny on Instagram.
Full horse show results can be found at www.horseshowsonline.com.
Photos by Lindsay Brock/Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. and Stephen Roe.
Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group in 2011-2014. Host of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.