Darragh Kenny and Gatsby.
North Salem, NY – September 11, 2014 – When Darragh Kenny and Gatsby entered the ring as one of the last to go in today’s $34,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake, the time to beat sat at 76.040 seconds. That time, held by Jessica Springsteen and Vindicat W, had been set nearly 50 rounds before and looked like it would remain untouchable.
But by the time Kenny and Gatsby trotted off the grass grand prix field at Old Salem Farm, they had blown Springsteen’s time out of the water by nearly 5.5 seconds and clinched the biggest victory of the day at the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W.
“He’s unbelievable,” Kenny said of Gatsby. “He’s a very fast horse, and he’s very easy to go quick on. He’s so careful, and he just wants to win. He’s truly a fantastic horse.”
Alan Wade set the course for today’s highlight class, which was run according to FEI Art. 238.2.1 with riders pinned according to penalties and time with no jump-off.
Of the 71 starters, 10 produced clear rounds, with Candice King and Kismet 50 paving the way as the early clear pathfinder in a time of 81.50 seconds.
King and Kismet 50’s time was toppled by the next to go clear, as Springsteen, of Colts Neck, NJ, and Vindicat W shaved more than 5 seconds off to take over the lead. Seven of the remaining clears turned in great efforts but all finished more than a second outside of Springsteen’s time. Paul O’Shea and Skara Glenn’s Sienna would come the closest and end up being the eventual third place finishers with a time of 77.840 seconds, while fourth place would go to Schuyler Riley and Dobra de Porceyo who had a time of 78.580 seconds.
Only Kenny and Gatsby made beating the time look easy as the cleared the final vertical with plenty of room and seconds to spare.
The large margin of victory over the 70 other horses competing was an impressive feat in itself, but perhaps equally impressive is the fact that the win today marks Kenny and Gatsby’s third victory in a row.
Owned by Allison Toffolon of Bronxville, NY, Gatsby came to Kenny for the ride when Toffolon went off to school this fall at Southern Methodist University. Since then, Kenny has shown the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse four times, finishing second the first time out and first in all three of their last efforts, including the win in the $15,000 Merill Lynch Speed Derby and the $10,000 Open Jumpers, both at the Hampton Classic.
“He’s been absolutely incredible. I’m lucky to get the chance to ride him,” Kenny said.
Toffolon will return to the saddle on Gatsby during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, but in the meantime, there is no place that Kenny would rather have the ride on the stallion than at the American Gold Cup.
“I love this horse show. It’s a great horse show with a great atmosphere,” Kenny said. “They run it really well. The footing is super, and it’s a really enjoyable horse show to be at.”
Kenny continued, “If I had to pick one thing? It’s the atmosphere. It feels like a top show in Europe.”
Prior to Kenny’s victory, the juniors and amateurs took their turn on the grass field for the $3,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, and it was Michael Hughes’ turn to ride away with a win. He took the top call with Luxina while second place went to Catherine Tyree and her own Don’t Go, with Richard Neal and his mount Quadam rounding out the top three.
The 2014 edition of the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W will continue tomorrow with the $100,000 Hermès American Gold Cup Qualifier beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday’s highlight events will include the $34,000 Fidelity Investments Speed Derby and the Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships. The five day horse show culminates on Sunday with the $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*W Grand Prix which kicks off at 2 p.m. EST.
All competition will be webcast live throughout the week at www.theamericangoldcup.com, and more information can be found by visiting the website or www.stadiumjumping.com.
45th Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts
What:
The $200,000 American Gold Cup, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W
When:
September 10-14, 2014
Where:
Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY
Hours:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon.
Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.
Stabling:
Stalls are 10 x 10 and housed under canvas. The FEI stalls are 10 x 12 and stabling area will be secured by fencing with 24/7 security. FEI horses will be scheduled to school separately from non-FEI horses. Schedules will be posted and riders will be given notification of times during the horse inspection.
Parking:
Available on the grounds
Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.
Information:
Before Show – before 9/6/14: 941-744-5465/800-237-8924
During Show – 914-669-5610 ext 201
Stable office – 941-744-5465
Prize List Advertising – 941-744-5465
Vendors – Matt Morrissey 941-915-3457
Website – www.theamericangoldcup.com
Televised Broadcast:
The 2014 American Gold Cup Grand Prix will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 21 at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Tickets:
Weekdays: Admission is free to the public.
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $20 per person, $15 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.
Gates open at:
Wednesday – Saturday: 8 a.m.
Sunday: 12 noon
Tickets are on sale now and are available online at www.theamericangoldcup.com and at the gate. (Online ticket sales will be available June 1 – Sept. 1.)
Charity Partners:
JustWorld International
http://www.justworldinternational.org/
ASPCA
http://aspca.org/
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Matt Morrissey
941.915.3457
matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com
Connie Sawyer
518.461.6288
sawyer.equestrianevents@gmail.com
Advertising Opportunities:
Mary Silcox 800-237-8924
mary.silcox@stadiumjumping.com
Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350′x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200′x250′, Schooling 130′x170′. Jumper Annex 146′x307′, Schooling 155′x173′. Indoor 115′x195′, Schooling 74′x135′. Hunter 138′x243′, Schooling 108′x158′. Footing in all arenas is all- weather German-designed fiber and sand.
Hotels:
Official Hotel of the American Gold Cup
Danbury Crown Plaza
(877) 270 1393
Ridgefield, CT
West Lane Inn (203) 438-7323
Brewster, NY 5 – 10 min
Heidi’s Motel (845) 279-8011
Mt. Kisco, NY 5 – 10 min
Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600
Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds
Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000
Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800
Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600
Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776
Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333
Residence Inn (203) 797-1256
Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: (941) 744-5465 Fax: (941) 744-0874
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561.753.3389 Fax: 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com