North Salem, New York – May 15, 2022 – Irish equestrians were the ones to beat in Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix presented by The Kincade Group. Pathfinder Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) and Jordan Coyle (IRL) were the first two riders to jump clear over the 16-effort, 1.55m course designed by fellow countryman Alan Wade, putting early pressure on their competitors. Only nine of 33 entries ultimately returned to jump off during the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows Week 1 finale, where Coyle (IRL) blazed through the timers in 34.990 seconds with Celtic Park LLC’s Centriko Volo, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, to take the win.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are one of the premier stops on the nation’s hunter-jumper horse show circuit, offering a full schedule of world-class competition May 10-15 and May 17-22 that features the nation’s best in equestrian sport.
The Grand Prix’s opening ceremonies included an official ribbon cutting for the new International Arena, with Old Salem Farm owner Scott Hakim and McLain Ward (USA), five-time U.S. Olympian and the Spring Horse Shows Co-Chair, acknowledging everyone’s hard work and dedication behind the scenes.
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank our spectators, people in our VIP tent, and the vendors above the ring for being here this afternoon,” Hakim said during the ceremony. “We feel your support, and we greatly appreciate it. I also want to thank the people behind me and in front of me (in the ring), up in the office, everyone who came together for this show. This was a big job, and we rose to the occasion. I’m very proud to have gotten here as a team.”
“Like Scott said, it’s wonderful to see everyone out here supporting us,” Ward (USA) said. “First and foremost, I want to thank all of the personnel here at Old Salem Farm – most importantly, (Scott) and your family for believing in this idea, which has been batted around for a number of years. This is a very unique facility and, in my mind, one of the best places in the world. Finally, last year, we decided to embark on this new adventure. It might have started with an idea, but the reality is, it takes an army to make it happen. Thank you all – our spectators, vendors, exhibitors, and Old Salem Farm crew behind the scenes – for being here and for believing in us.”
The International Arena was the vision of Hakim, Ward, show manager Allen Rheinheimer, and show coordinator Vandy Lipman, but the project could not have been completed without Mike Polatta, Ari Sherizan, Glen Ticehurst, Bobby Waltz, and Lawton Adams and Karen Leeming of Footing First.
“His biggest advantage is how careful he is,” he added. “Going from the vertical to the double (combination), I could really gallop and leave out strides where other people had to be more conservative. If I can get him going very fast, he’ll actually jump everything better. For me, Alan (Wade) is the best course builder in the world. His courses don’t feel technical or overly big, but somehow, it’s very hard to jump clear. I chickened out and added a stride (on the final stretch), to be honest. On a different horse, I might have left out one more stride, but Centriko is still a little green at this level and a little unsure. I already felt like I was pretty fast and wanted to go clear, and he’s just an unbelievable athlete to jump. It was a good day for the Irish.”
Corrigan ultimately landed in fourth place after Mark Bluman (COL) and Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) shaved off time during their rounds.
Caristo-Williams (USA) earned third with her time of 37.180 seconds aboard Marciano MVF, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Stephanie Bulger.
Week 1 highlights included the $40,000 New York Welcome Stake and the $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix. Week 2 competition is highlighted by the $65,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem, $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, and the $5,000 Old Salem Farm Grooms Class. The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows conclude on Sunday, May 22, with the $200,000 Empire State Grand Prix at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Hollow Brook Wealth Management is a proud supporter of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows and is the sponsor of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows weekend livestream available on ClipMyHorse.TV. Hollow Brook is also honored to present the second annual Hollow Brook Junior Sportsmanship Award, which will be announced on Sunday, May 22, as part of the opening ceremonies to the $200,000 Empire State Grand Prix.
Located just one hour north of New York City, Old Salem Farm has a long history of hosting world-class horse shows. The ambiance at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows is unlike any other venue in the country with over-the-top hospitality and unique shopping offered along Old Salem’s popular Boutique Row. VIP table seating offers an unbeatable view of the new International Arena and gourmet farm-to-table fare. Old Salem Farm food vendors provide meals to go and delicious snack options.
Family fun activities include pony rides, weekend face painting, and an ice cream party each Saturday, hosted by Pegasus Therapeutic Riding on May 14 and the Wolf Conservation Center on May 21. There will also be an onsite dog adoption hosted by A New Chance Animal Rescue on Saturday, May 21. Admission is FREE for everyone Tuesday-Friday and $10 Saturday-Sunday.
For more information on Old Salem Farm and the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, visit OldSalemFarm.net.
Final Results – $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix
1) Jordan Coyle (IRL) & Centriko Volo – 0 / 0 – 34.990
2) Mark Bluman (COL) & Marciano MVF – 0 / 0 – 35.390
3) Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) & Marciano MVF – 0 / 0 – 37.180
Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm
Photos: © RandolphPR
Categories: Results
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