North Salem, NY – April 13, 2015 – Old Salem Farm, based in Westchester County’s North Salem, NY, is pleased to announce that the popular venue will be the site of major events in 2015 and beyond. Old Salem Farm has submitted a bid to host both the 2017 and 2018 FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Finals, making it one of the few current venues in North America to vie for international championship competition. They are also the host of the $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ New York, which will be a part of the recently created Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League starting this 2015-2016 season. Coming up first on the calendar in 2015 are the popular Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows from May 5-17.
Old Salem Farm’s beautifully manicured grounds, a list of elite horses and riders, and fantastic social gatherings draw spectators from Westchester County and beyond each year to watch horses and riders compete in international-level sport. The equestrian events bring a significant economic impact to Westchester County and beyond.
Old Salem Farm is proud to unveil their bid for the FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Finals in 2017 and 2018. The 2014-2015 Final will be held in Barcelona, Spain, this coming fall. This global event is the pinnacle of annual team show jumping competition, where countries compete under their nation’s flag for top honors.
“The FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final presents the world’s best in international team competition. We are confident that Old Salem Farm offers a home suitable for that caliber of competition,” said Alan Bietsch, Old Salem Farm Manager. “The more attention we draw to North American venues, events and talent, the stronger our sport will become both in this country and abroad. Old Salem Farm is ready to help make that happen and looks forward to the positive impact an event like this Final will bring to our community.”
The historic FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series was given a new, more global format in 2013 after a four-year sponsorship deal led it to be renamed the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series. Under the new rules, the world has been divided into six regions for the purpose of qualifying teams for a world Final. The six regions are Europe (Divisions 1 and 2), North and Central America & Caribbean, South America, Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
The FEI Nations Cup™ Final would bring 18 nations from around the world, adding to the already existing prestige of Old Salem Farm and bolster significant economic impact for Westchester County and surrounding areas.
In addition to their FEI Nations Cup™ Final bids, Old Salem Farm will also be the site of the $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ New York, recently named as one of 14 events of the new Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. Announced earlier this month, the league will present more than $2.4 million in prize money throughout the series, which kicks off in August at both East and West Coast locations.
One of the first qualifying events of 2015, the $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ New York takes place during The American Gold Cup on September 13 at the pristine Old Salem Farm. The event serves as a chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than $1.4 million on offer annually at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, the most sought-after individual global championship for show jumpers.
The 14 events that will host legs of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League were selected after a rigorous screening process from a long list of 25 applicants. The $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ New York, held at The American Gold Cup, boasts the number one position in the United States on the North American Rider’s Group (NARG) Top 25 of 2014, alongside the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows also making the list.
“This is an exciting time for American Show Jumping, and we have always prided ourselves in being at the heart of the sport in this country,” said Bietsch. “Joining the Longines FEI World Cup North American League alongside other impressive U.S. venues is an honor that we are eager to embrace.”
This May, Old Salem Farm will host their annual two-week Spring Horse Shows, which boast over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week and awards nearly $500,000 in prize money. The 2015 series will kick off May 3 with the Welcome Horse Show and Day, then continue with horse show competition on May 5-17, bringing together top competitors, including Olympic show jumpers, from all corners of North America and beyond.
2015 Spring Shows Highlights:
– $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group
– $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group
– $35,000 New York Welcome Stake Grand Prix, presented by Old Salem Farm
– $35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, presented by Karina Brez Jewelry
– $20,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by Miller Motorcars
– $20,000 Leading Jumper Rider Challenge
– $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by Miller Motorcars
– $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family
– $15,000 High Jr./AO Jumper Classic each week
– $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Awards, presented by Old Salem Farm
For more information on Old Salem Farm and the Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.
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, 2012 and 2013. 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.