North Salem, New York, USA – September 13, 2024 – Course designer Ken Krome (USA) built a challenging 16-effort, 1.50m course for Friday’s $65,000 Welcome Stake CSI 4* at the 2024 Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows, where Zayna Rizvi (USA) answered all the questions and soared above her fellow competitors. The last pair to enter the ring, she and Exquise du Pachis posted a faultless 35.83-second time for the win.
The Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to top Grand Prix stars aboard their elite mounts. Week 1 (September 10-15) is designated CSI4*/2* while Week 2 (September 17-22) is designated CSI3*. Old Salem’s September schedule also includes a National/Level 2 event (September 25-27).
The $65,000 Welcome Stake CSI 4* featured 45 entries representing eight countries in the Old Salem Farm International Arena, with 18 advancing to the jump-off.
Sarah Segal (USA) returned early on with Boreale de Fondcombe, setting the time to beat at 36.92 seconds.
Fresh off his win in Thursday’s $5,000 FEI 2* Speed Class, Simon McCarthy (IRL) was the first to knock her down the leaderboard with his double-clear score of 36.46 seconds, but Rizvi was even faster in 35.83 seconds.
“I know my horse really well, and I know that she has a huge stride, so I tried to use that to my advantage,” Rizvi said. “I wouldn’t say there was any specific spot that I was going faster than Simon, but my mare is so good at turning and really helped me out in a few spots. Doing that tight rollback to the double and the tight turn into the second-to-last jump, she was right there with me the whole time. She was amazing, and I couldn’t have asked for a better result.
“We call her Patchy in the barn, and she’s just incredible,” she added of The Exquisite Group’s 14-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare. “She’s brought me around my biggest tracks so far, and she’s always giving me confidence and teaching me the ropes. Today’s first-round track was great for us. There were definitely some technical lines and questions, but she’s so great at adjusting and coming back to me. In the jump-off, there were places where you could use a mixed ride if you had it, and I’m lucky enough that I do with her. It was a great jump-off track, too. I’m very grateful to have a partner like her.”
“I’m so glad that we have an FEI show (at Old Salem) in the fall now,” Rizvi said. “I actually haven’t shown here since 2019, so it’s really great to be back. I grew up around here, and being here again feels like coming home. I’m really excited about the rest of our week.”
Located just one hour north of New York City, Old Salem Farm has a long history of hosting world-class horse shows. Over the years, Old Salem Farm has hosted United States Olympic Team Selection Trials, FEI World Cup™ qualifiers, FEI North American Youth Championships, ASPCA Maclay Regional Finals and the annual Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.
The first week of the September Horse Shows, September 10-15, features Thursday’s $10,000 4* Two-Phase and $5,000 2* Speed Class, Friday’s $65,000 4* Welcome Stake and $32,000 2* Qualifier, Saturday’s $38,700 4* Speed Stake and $40,000 2* Grand Prix, and the new $200,000 4* Blue Diamond Cup on Sunday.
Final Results – $65,000 Welcome Stake CSI 4*
1) Zayna Rizvi (USA) & Exquise du Pachis – 0 / 0 – 35.83
2) Simon McCarthy (IRL) & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof – 0 / 0 – 36.46
3) Sarah Segal (USA) & Boreale de Fondcombe – 0 / 0 – 36.92
Source: Press Release (edited) by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm Horse Shows
Photos: © Old Salem Farm / SEL Photography
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Categories: CSI 4*
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