For Immediate Release
North Salem, NY – May 5, 2015 – The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows kicked off today at Old Salem Farm in the rolling hills of North Salem, NY. Over the past week, international equine talent, Olympic veterans, rising stars and local horse sport enthusiasts converged on Old Salem Farm for the 33rd return of the celebrated Spring Horse Shows.
Competition runs Tuesday-Sunday for two consecutive weeks May 5-10 and May 12-17 and features over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week. Ranging from the $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Gotham North, to the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer something for everyone.
Photo by Lindsay Brock/Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
For those who can’t make it to Old Salem Farm, live streaming will be simulcast on three websites: www.oldsalemfarm.net, www.USEFNetwork.com, and www.practicalhorsemanmag.com. The entire day of competition on Friday-Sunday, May 8-10 and May 15-17, from the Grand Prix Field will be available, as well as week two’s hunter derby.
Major events on the live stream include (times are subject to change):
Week 1
$35,000 New York Welcome Stake, presented by Old Salem Farm, on Friday, May 8, 1 pm
$15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 9, 12 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Sunday, May 10, 1:30 pm
$50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 10, 2 pm
Week 2
$35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, presented by Karina Brez Jewelry, on Friday, May 15, 1 pm
$20,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 16, 12 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Saturday, May 16, 1:30 pm
$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, on Saturday, May 16, 2 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Sunday, May 17, 2 pm
$100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 17, 2:30
TOP SHOW JUMPING RIDERS TO COMPETE
Whether it’s the allure of over $500,000 in prize money, endless special events, or the picturesque setting, The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows will again welcome the best of the best. The likes of Olympic Gold Medalists Beezie Madden, Chris Kappler, Mclain Ward, Leslie Howard and Anne Kursinski will again return in 2015.
“It’s great to be part of an event and facility that has grown to host such a high level of competition within an equestrian community,” said Ward, an Olympic Gold Medalist who calls Brewster, NY, home just a couple short miles from Old Salem Farm. “It’s wonderful for the horses to get out on the grass – they always feel really relaxed after a long winter show season. The first week is great to start new, greener horses as an introduction and the grand prix during the second week has become a difficult class with the standard getting better and better each year.”
Photo by The Book, LLC
The list of renowned jumper riders continues with a roster boasting: Peter Leone, Charlie Jacobs, Brianne Goutal, Nick Dello Joio, Mario Deslauriers, Kristen Coe, Jimmy and Danielle Torano, Jeffrey Welles, and Ben Asselin.
“We strive to make these shows so much more than horse shows – we want them to be events that equestrians near and far star on their calender each year,” said Alan Bietsch of Old Salem Farm. “With two VIP locations to experience this year, competitive prize money, exceptional footing and a venue that is second to none, 2015 is promising to be the best yet.”
With extensive show-ring opportunities for hunter, jumper and equitation riders alike, local riders from each discipline flock to Old Salem Farm each spring. Hometown heroes like North Salem’s own Georgina Bloomberg and Katie Dinan will lead the charge of local riders that also includes Quentin Judge (Ridgefield, CT), Cara Raether Carey (Bedford, CT), Amanda Starbuck (Ridgefield, CT), Darragh Kerins (Sherman, CT) riding for Ireland and Sydney Shulman (Greenwich, CT).
“Old Salem is where I grew up. I rode there for over 15 years and most of my childhood memories come from my times spent there,” said Bloomberg. “When we decided to build our own barn I knew I wanted to stay in North Salem and close to Old Salem. I love every inch of that place and feel at home when I am there. It’s been incredible to see Old Salem transform and grow, and I am so excited to see how well the facility is doing and all the amazing things happening.”
TWO WEEKS FULL OF COMPETITION
Inside the ring, special events span all levels and disciplines with big money and prizes on the line. The Week 1 schedule will include the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake, presented by Old Salem Farm, on Friday, May 8, as well as the $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 9, and the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 10. Week 1 jumper courses will be set by Michel Vaillancourt. Equitation riders will take their turn in the spotlight Saturday, May 9, in the Equitation Challenge, sponsored by EquiFit, inc.
Photo by Lindsay Brock/Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Week 2 will feature the $35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, presented by Karina Brez Jewelry, on Friday, May 15, the $20,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 16. In addition, Miller Motorcars will have a range of luxury exotic vehicles, including the McLaren, Aston Martin, Maserati and Rolls Royce onsite for photo opportunities.
The $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 17 will wrap the shows under the direction of Week 2 course designer Alan Wade. Open jumper riders will be competing for the $20,000 Leading Jumper Rider Challenge, while junior and amateur jumpers will enjoy a $15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Miller Motorcars, each Sunday.
In addition to a full schedule of USEF “Premier” rated hunter competition, a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, will be featured on Saturday, May 16. The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show is also proud to continue honoring hunter riders with the presentation of a $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award, presented by Old Salem Farm, for the rider that earns the most points in hunter divisions throughout the two weeks of competition. For the younger generation, a $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Gotham North, will welcome pony riders each Sunday during Week 1 and 2, and a Leadline class will showcase tomorrow’s talent prior to each Sunday grand prix.
FUN FOR SPECTATORS AND THE WHOLE FAMILY
VIP tables are selling fast and feature catering by Manhattan’s Union Square Events. Pricing and additional information on VIP opportunities can be viewed at www.oldsalemfarm.net. To order a VIP table, contact Chelsea Dwinell at chelsead@oldsalemfarm.net or 914-669-5610.
Photo by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Outside the ring, the special events schedule is full each week. An exhibitor breakfast, sponsored by Charles Owens kicks things off Friday, May 8, from 7:30-10am on the Grand Prix Terrace. Later on Friday, the $1,500 Canine Puissance, sponsored by Breuer Premium Pet Food, welcomes a different breed of four-legged star at 3pm. An exhibitor party on the Grand Prix Terrace, presented by Palm Beach International Academy, is planned for Friday, May 15, at 5pm with food provided by Little Kabob Station in Mt. Kisco. Also highlighting the special events calendar, the behind-the-scenes stars of any horse show will be honored in the $5,000 5th Annual Groom’s Class Friday, May 15, preceded by a Groom’s Breakfast sponsored by Old Salem Farm, from 6:30-8:30am.
Old Salem Farm is dedicated to local charity organizations, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Program and Wolf Conservation Center, who will host a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Social Saturday, May 9 and 16 at 2pm. In addition, the ASPCA and A New Chance Animal Rescue will also be onsite at Old Salem Farm with animal adoption opportunities.
Aside from a packed competition schedule and a full two weeks of special events, Boutique Row features a wide selection of goods, from clothing and jewelry to antiques and horse equipment. To enjoy these any many other spectator perks, purchase tickets for The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows HERE.
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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.