For Immediate Release
North Salem, NY – May 5, 2014 – Old Salem Farm hosted exhibitors at their Welcome Day on Sunday, May 4, 2014. The day featured The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) $2,000 Low Thoroughbred Hunter division along with a full schedule of classes.
Welcome Day kicks off two weeks of exceptional equestrian sport at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, which are held on May 6-11 and May 13–18 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The 32nd annual event features over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week, bringing together top competitors, including Olympic show jumpers, from across the country to compete for almost $500,000 in prize money.
Scottsdale and Debbie McCarthy
The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) $2,000 Low Thoroughbred Hunter Division was held at a height of three-feet and consisted of two over fences classes and one under saddle class. Taking home the championship was Scottsdale, ridden by Debbie McCarthy and owned by Samantha Pandolfi of Sandy Hook, CT. The pair was third under saddle and won both over fences classes. The reserve champion was Lydia Hatch’s Wyandanch, ridden by Keirstin Johnsen. They placed second and third over fences and won the under saddle.
Scottsdale and McCarthy were presented with the First Annual Debby Malloy Winkler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Malloy Family. They will have their name inscribed on this perpetual trophy, and it will remain at Old Salem Farm with winners added each year at this event.
Pandolfi purchased Scottsdale, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, when he was three years old. Originally bred in Washington State, Scottsdale was just months off the track when trainer Debbie McCarthy found him through Jack Adams in Arizona. McCarthy and Pandolfi brought him along together; now in addition to McCarthy, Scottsdale shows with Pandolfi in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunters.
The First Annual Debby Malloy Winkler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Malloy Family.
“It was a very easy transition for him to the hunter world,” Pandolfi said. “He’s got a very animated personality. He’s very expressive in everything that he does.”
Pandolfi thought the new T.I.P. Division was perfect for Scottsdale and the other Thoroughbreds at the show. “I thought it was phenomenal. I’m really glad that there is such a division. I can’t wait for it to develop and take off. It was fantastic to see him win. He came from basically off the track, and Debbie really taught and showed him the ropes for me to ride him and maintain. To see that accomplishment from a three-year-old to now winning in the show ring is a wonderful feeling.”
Pandolfi was quick to thank sponsor Vivien Malloy, as well as Peter Connor, her parents, Sal and Wendy Pandolfi, boyfriend Rob Bedard, and especially her trainer, McCarthy.
“She’s a wonderful trainer,” Pandolfi said of McCarthy, whose business is based in Bedford, NY. “There are not very many that would be as supportive with off the track Thoroughbreds as she is.”
For McCarthy, taking advantage of the equine stock already in the United States just makes sense. She explained, “I have 10 thoroughbreds; one-third of my barn are Thoroughbreds. There is a big place at horse shows for them. If you look at it as just economics, we’re ignoring our product and just buying European. I think we have a lot to offer in the American Thoroughbred, and I’m a big believer. The best thing going for them is this new incentive program.”
Pandolfi agreed, “It really makes this division stand out, and it’s going to bring a larger crowd in the future and more involvement for the Thoroughbreds. It really shows that horse people value all different kinds of breeds.”
McCarthy noted, “It means a lot [to have this division], and meant a lot to the owners. I hacked a mare just off the track. For the owners to watch their horse even do that nice hack class was big. It’s great for owners to not have to compete against all of the warmbloods. I loved it, and I was so proud of that horse. He was perfect on a windy day. We love Old Salem (Farm), and this was a great way to kick off the T.I.P.”
Scottsdale, Debbie McCarthy, and Samantha Pandolfi in their winning presentation with Vivien Malloy (center) and family.
In addition to the T.I.P. competition, Welcome Day featured a great schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, including the Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal, Sore No More Medal, Bit O’Straw Children’s and Adult Hunter Classics, and Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows start on Tuesday, May 6, and have several highlight events during the two weeks of competition – buy your tickets now to watch the grand prix classes each Sunday at www.oldsalemfarm.net!
If you can’t make it to the competition, several of the big events will be live streamed online. The $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix on May 11, the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on May 17, and the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix on May 18 will all be broadcast on the USEFNetwork.com presented by SmartPak. You may watch these events LIVE as they happen at USEF Network or www.oldsalemfarm.net.
For full horse show results, please visit www.horseshowsonline.com.
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Photos copyright Sarah Latterner.
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.