An Oscar Performance by Alessandra Volpi & Movie Star Tops the $40,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI 2*

By Jumper News USA on September 14, 2026

North Salem, New York – September 11, 2026 – The Old Salem Farm International Arena then welcomed 27 entries representing seven countries for the $40,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI 2* in the afternoon. Four answered the questions correctly in Wade’s initial 16-effort, 1.45m track and returned to jump off for top honors.

Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) and Dua Lipa were the pathfinders over the tiebreaker course, but a downed rail left the door open for their fellow competitors despite their speedy 37.30-second time. Both Alessandra Volpi (USA) and Julie Welles (USA) completed faultless rounds, with Volpi piloting Movie Star to the winning time of 36.75 seconds.

**Julie Welles** (USA) & **My Boy Bill**

Welles secured second in 37.73 seconds aboard My Boy Bill, Swambo Partners Inc.’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

**Jacqueline Ruyle** (USA) & **Dua Lipa**

Ruyle ultimately finished third with her 10-year-old Oldenburg mare.

“He’s pretty special,” Volpi said of Cedar Fox’s 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “I think he’s done maybe four ranking classes, so he’s pretty new to this level. It’s just his first 2* Grand Prix, so I didn’t know what to expect. He was really good in the qualifier, and I was just hoping to give him the best ride that I could. He really went above and beyond. I feel very lucky to have him.

“He definitely likes speed,” she added. “I noticed that the time allowed was a little tight in the first round, so I kept it in mind and ended up six seconds under. He’s proved that he can be fast, but he still likes you to support him. He’s a bit like a pony and just wants his rider there with him. He was so fast in the turns today – faster than I expected. I actually lost my stirrup at the third-to-last fence, and I was just like, ‘Just stay on and keep going.’ I gave it my all, and he certainly gave it his all.”

Alexandra Worthington (USA) and Turn A Blind Eye’s 10-year-old La Silla gelding Masai LS took fourth for their 15-fault jump-off round, while Lola Head (USA) and Over The Top Stables’ 13-year-old Oldenburg mare Marilyn rounded out the top five with a single time fault in the first round.

“I’m a neighbor, living just five minutes down the road,” Volpi said. “I love showing here. The horses always jump great, the facilities are amazing, and it’s very, very convenient for me. Old Salem Farm is always a stop on my show schedule.”