Category Archives: American Gold Cup

Hardin Towell and Carlo Win $10k Douglas Elliman 1.40m Jumper CSI4* at American Gold Cup

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 11, 2019 – The 2019 American Gold Cup, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, LLC, made its triumphant return at Old Salem Farm to commence the event’s 49th installment Wednesday, with FEI competition attracting some of the world’s best horse-and-athlete teams to the pristine grass Grand Prix Ring. Beginning the week on a high note, Hardin Towell (USA) and Carlo topped the leaderboard in the $10,000 Douglas Elliman 1.40m Jumper CSI4*, while Cormac Hanley (IRL) piloted Cortani FBH to the blue ribbon in the $8,000 Porsche Danbury & Audi Danbury 1.40m Jumper. In the $2,000 Eastern Hay 1.30m Jumper, Captain Future Z carried Erynn Ballard (CAN) to victory ahead of a lofty field.

The feature event of the first day of competition, the $10,000 Douglas Elliman 1.40m Jumper CSI4*, brought a large pack of 70 exhibitors to center stage for a chance at some early prize money. As the first to contest designer Alan Wade’s (IRL) 13-effort track in the speed class, pathfinders Hanley and Heathman Farm LLC’s Alma Z set a quick precedent with a blazing trip in 60.83 seconds, leaving all the rails in their cups to jump to the early lead. Throughout the class, subsequent challengers chased down Hanley and the 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, but it would take nearly 50 trips for new leaders to emerge. Slicing across the grass more efficiently than the rest, Towell and Ann Thompson’s Carlo eclipsed Hanley and his ride thanks to their successful navigation of the pattern in 59.19 seconds to secure the lead spot in the lap of honor. Hanley and Alma Z retained second position, while Sweden’s Mariano Maggi and Uma O’Neill’s Quintago VA clinched third place penalty-free in 61.12 seconds.

Towell and Carlo have been gaining momentum recently in the show ring, most recently coming off of a first-place finish in the $35,700 Welcome Stake CSI2* at Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in July. In 2018, they claimed victory in the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show $50,000 Grand Prix and added to their achievements that same month in Lexington, Kentucky, where the pair won the $60,000 Kentucky National Betsy Grand Prix.

For more results and information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

Molly Ashe Cawley and D’Arnita Fight to Win $204k FEI Jumping World Cup New York CSI4*-W

Photo: Molly Ashe Cawley and D’Arnita.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 30, 2018 – The 2018 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm came to an end on Sunday as some of the world’s top international show jumping athletes competed for the coveted American Gold Cup trophy in the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W. The United States claimed the top prize for the third year in a row as Molly Ashe Cawley of Wellington, Florida secured the victory aboard the 10-year-old KWPN mare D’Arnita.

The top 37 athletes from Friday’s $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W came forward to compete on the Grand Prix Field in Sunday’s grand finale over two challenging tracks designed by Irish course builder Alan Wade.

The large first round course utilized the field’s natural slopes and hills to test athletes over a series of 13 obstacles. Athletes collected rails all over the course, but seven combinations advanced to the jump-off after producing clear efforts in the first round.

Competing at her home base as the trainer of Old Salem Farm, Lucy Davis, who rode on the U.S. silver medal team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, set the standard to beat aboard Old Oak Farm’s Caracho with the first double-clear effort in 39.30 seconds. However, her early start in the order would prove to be disadvantageous with six competitive combinations still left to come behind her. Ultimately, she would claim fourth place as the slowest double-clear finisher.

Margie Engle (USA) and her veteran partner Royce, owned by Gladewinds Partners, LLC, successfully navigated the short course next, stopping the timers in a whopping 36.85 seconds to take over the lead.

Mattias Tromp (USA) followed suit, piloting Quinta, owned by Swede Ventures LLC, to another double-clear performance in 37.95 seconds to move into second place in the standings.

It all came down to the final entry of the class: Cawley and D’Arnita. It was clear the pair came to win as they fought hard to complete the eight-fence serpentine in record time. In the end, her time of 36.76 seconds narrowly secured the victory ahead of Engle by one-tenth of a second. Sunday’s achievement at the American Gold Cup is D’Arnita’s biggest career win to date and Cawley’s first time earning the prestigious title.

Thus far this year, the pair has also claimed wins in the Kubota Cup during the ‘North American’ CSI5* Tournament at Spruce Meadows in July and at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in August in the $35,000 Great Lakes Classic CSI3*.

Once again, Engle was forced to settle for second place, after also finishing second in Saturday’s $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic with Indigo and in Thursday’s $35,000 Trelawny Farm Welcome Stake CSI4* with Dicas, while Tromp grabbed third place honors and Davis rounded out the top four.

In the lead-up to Sunday’s main event, McLain Ward’s beloved and legendary partner, Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms, was retired in a special ceremony honoring his incredible career with Ward, including winning individual gold and team bronze for Team USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

In addition, Engle was awarded the M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award for exhibiting an outstanding combination of horsemanship, skill and presentation while competing at the 2018 American Gold Cup. Ralph Caristo also received the Old Salem Farm Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, which was created by Old Salem Farm head trainer Frank Madden as a way to recognize members of the U.S. hunter/jumper community for their selfless contributions to the sport they love.

Re-live all of the action from Sunday’s grand prix at the American Gold Cup with NBC Sports Network’s broadcast of the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

McLain Ward Makes Repeat Win at American Gold Cup with Tradition De La Roque

Photo: McLain Ward and Tradition De La Roque.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 29, 2018 – Saturday hosted the $70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* at the American Gold Cup, where McLain Ward (USA) captured yet another win in the day’s highlight event, this time aboard Tradition De La Roque, owned by Kessler Show Stables Europe B.V. The pair bested a total of 51 entries with a double-clear performance in 35.84 seconds.

Held on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm, Alan Wade (IRL) built a challenging 13-obstacle first round track set at 1.50m in height, which saw 11 cross the finish line with no faults to secure their spot in the jump-off.

Canada’s Mario Deslauriers was the early double-clear pathfinder in the jump-off with Amsterdam, owned by Luja LLC and Wishing Well Farm LLC. They stopped the timers in 38.13 seconds, but would take home fourth place honors at the end of the day.

Student of Ward’s and fellow NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team gold medalist, Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), was next to jump fault-free over the shortened course with Sagamore Farms’ Fantast in 37.44 seconds to move into the lead.

However, it was Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) and his own and Christine Stiller’s Penelope Cruz who narrowly slid into the first place position two rounds later, finishing fourth-tenths of a second faster than Sternlicht in 37.05 seconds.

Next up in the order, Ward, who has been having great success with a new string of horses at this year’s American Gold Cup, blazed around the eight-fence track with the 11-year-old Selle Français mare. In only their second show together, they posted a time of 35.84 seconds to overtake Cournane with one more combination left to go.

Eighteen-year-old Caitlyn Connors (USA) and Express Blue GP Du Bois Madame, owned by Caitlyn Connors LLC, concluded Saturday’s competition on the Grand Prix Field with the last double-clear effort in 40.81 seconds, securing Ward the win, Cournane second place and Sternlicht third place.

With Deslauriers claiming fourth place, Connors finished in fifth place, while Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Freestyle De Muze rounded out the double-clear standings in sixth place in 45.98 seconds.

For ticketing and more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

Gold Is Contagious for McLain Ward in $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W

Photo: McLain Ward and Contagious.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 28, 2018 – Fresh off his gold medal victory with the NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) in Tryon, North Carolina exactly one week ago, McLain Ward returned to his home state of New York to claim his spot in the winner’s circle once again in the $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W with new mount Contagious.

Friday’s featured event at Old Salem Farm brought forth 44 international combinations competing to qualify for Sunday’s $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W.

A total of 14 athletes jumped clear over Ireland’s Alan Wade’s first round track in the Annex Ring, but almost half fell victim to time faults due to the tight time-allowed of 76 seconds. Only eight were able to produce fault-free rounds to move on to the jump-off.

Kicking things off in the tiebreaker was Canada’s Ali Ramsay aboard her own Hermelien VD Hooghoeve, finishing double-clear and going straight to the top of the leaderboard in 39.71 seconds.

Ward entered as third in the order riding the 9-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Beechwood Stables LLC and posted the next double-clear performance in 37.82 seconds to move into the lead.

Ward acquired the ride on Contagious just this summer, and the American Gold Cup is only the pair’s third show together. Their first victory came at the start of September in the $100,000 Hudson Valley Jumper Classic CSI5* at HITS Saugerties.

Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Imerald Van’t Voorhof, owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC, and Charlie Jacobs (USA) and CMJ Sporthorse, LLC’s Cassinja S also completed the short course with no faults, but were not quick enough to catch Ward.

O’Shea finished second best in 38.10 seconds for runner-up honors, while Ramsay claimed third place and Jacobs rounded out the top four in 41.21 seconds.

In addition, Ramsay was also awarded the Hattie Banks Leading Lady Rider Award following Friday’s competition for her top finishes thus far at the American Gold Cup.

The top 40 athletes and horses from Friday’s qualifying competition will move on to compete in Sunday’s highly anticipated grand finale, which kicks off the eastern sub-league’s 2018/2019 season of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League.

For the fourth year in a row, the American Gold Cup has been selected as one of only seven events that comprise the East Coast division of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League. Athletes compete in the league at events all across North America in order to qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, April 3-7, 2019.

For ticketing and more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

WEG Athletes and US Gold Medal Team Members Set to Compete at American Gold Cup

Photo: McLain Ward.

North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 25, 2018 – As a permanent fixture on the calendars of esteemed riders, trainers, show jumping aficionados, and spectators of all ages, the 2018 American Gold Cup is set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 30 at the breathtaking Old Salem Farm. The annual event is synonymous with world-class international show jumping competition and is aptly located in the horse-friendly county of Westchester in North Salem, New York.

This year’s American Gold Cup will celebrate its seventh anniversary at this incredible venue and its fourth year as part of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League. As always, the event is set to host an international lineup of the world’s top equestrian athletes as well as offer a wide variety of family friendly activities and luxury shopping on Boutique Row throughout the week.

Some of the most talented horses and athletes from around the world will be vying for the coveted American Gold Cup trophy on Sunday in the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W, including three members of the NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team, who recently won the team gold medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) in Tryon, North Carolina: McLain Ward, Devin Ryan, and Adrienne Sternlicht. Ryan is also the reigning American Gold Cup champion after winning the title in 2017 on Eddie Blue.

In addition, two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist and 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final champion, Beezie Madden, will also be in attendance along with fellow U.S. Olympians Margie Engle and Lucy Davis, New York native Georgina Bloomberg, Daniel Bluman (ISR), Mario Deslauriers (CAN), Peter Lutz (USA), Beat Mändli (SUI), Richie Moloney (IRL), Karen Polle (JPN), and Charlie Jacobs (USA), to name a few, representing a total of nine countries around the globe.

Fans will also have the opportunity to meet some of these competitors at an autograph signing session on Sunday, Sept. 30, following the final awards ceremony for the $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W on the Grand Prix Field.

Prior to the start of Sunday’s highlight event, there will be a special retirement ceremony for one of Ward’s longtime partners, Rothchild, to celebrate his standout career, which included claiming a team bronze medal and fifth place individually at WEG in Normandy, France in 2014 and the individual gold medal and team bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, among many others.

The American Gold Cup will also showcase fun and entertaining events for families and children of all ages. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday, younger spectators can enjoy face painting, magicians, a petting zoo, pony rides and more in addition to shopping on Boutique Row. New this year, the next generation of equestrians will get their chance in the spotlight on Sunday as they compete in the Leadline division, presented by Rushy Marsh Farm.

Sunday will feature additional special guests and exclusive events such as crafts and activities with Macaroni Kid Westchester North, the Animal Embassy Show starting at 12 p.m. and the Education Fair featuring the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), presented by Miller & Associates.

For ticketing and more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

Entries for 2018 American Gold Cup Close Sept. 6

Photo: Lucy Deslauriers and Hester at the 2017 American Gold Cup.

North Salem, N.Y. – Aug. 31, 2018 – The closing date for entries for the 2018 American Gold Cup, returning to Old Salem Farm Sept. 26-30, is fast approaching with a deadline of Thursday, Sept. 6! Don’t miss your chance to compete at one of the most highly regarded show jumping events in the country.

Exhibitors can conveniently submit entries electronically via Show Management System™. In addition, FEI exhibitors must also be entered by their national federation into the FEI entry system. Definite entries are due by Sept. 16. Download the prize list and entry forms.

Competition in 2018 will play host to a number of important FEI ranking events, culminating with the prestigious $204,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York CSI4*-W on Sunday, Sept. 30, where top athletes will compete for the illustrious American Gold Cup.

The American Gold Cup has been selected as one of only seven events that comprise the East Coast division of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. Athletes compete in the league at events all across North America in order to qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final to be held next in Gothenburg, Sweden, April 3-7, 2019.

In addition, the American Gold Cup will feature a full array of jumper classes including divisions for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers and the exciting Open Jumpers.

For ticketing and more information, visit theamericangoldcup.com.

Kent Farrington Pilots Gazelle to the Top in $216k Longines FEI World Cup Jumping New York

Kent Farrington and Gazelle. (FEI/Anthony Trollop)

North Salem, New York, (USA), 18 September 2016 – The only pair to answer all the questions over two challenging tracks, Olympic medallist Kent Farrington (USA) and Gazelle delivered the day’s only double-clear performance to claim victory in the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York at the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W, hosted by Old Salem Farm.

“I thought Alan Wade built a difficult course today, which I think is well suited for a class of this prestige and amount of prize money,” said Farrington. “As a World Cup Qualifier, it brings the best riders and their top horses.

“It worked out for me today, but regardless, I thought it was a great competition. I’m thrilled to finally win the American Gold Cup – I’ve never done that before and it was on my list of things to do.”

Only two riders advanced to the final round with Charlie Jacobs (USA) preceding Farrington in the jump off at the second leg of the East Coast sub-league. In an attempt to save time and to add pressure on Farrington, Jacobs unsuccessfully angled a wide oxer in the final round. The resulting rail left the door open for Farrington to take the win.

“That’s actually what I hate to do – go at a normal speed,” said Farrington about his jump-off strategy. “But if I had one down, I could still catch [Jacobs’ time] at the end.”

Slow and steady was the winning approach as Farrington demonstrated constraint in his ride – a difficult approach for the normally speed-driven jump off competitor. But Farrington still managed to end with a flourish when his mount, the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro), came to an abrupt halt after crossing the timers, forcing Farrington out of the tack and onto his feet. Not one to waste the opportunity, Farrington stood holding Gazelle and took a bow to the crowd’s applause.

Sizing the field

The course design challenged the riders and horses with solid jumps and a tight time allowed, but in the eyes of Farrington, team silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a third, major variable in the grand prix was the natural terrain.

“The field isn’t totally level, and I think that automatically makes any course more difficult to ride,” he said. “Oxers going uphill are going to be wider and ride much bigger than they’re set, and a vertical coming downhill is going to naturally draw a horse closer and throw them off balance so that’s already a difficult factor we don’t see every day.”

It’s this type of insight that makes Farrington as much a sought-after trainer as he is a rider. And he applies the same, careful approach to assessing a course as he does to competition selection for his horses.

“This year, especially with it being in the United States, I would like to go [to the FEI World Cup™ Final] if I feel like I have a horse that’s on form at that time. I’ve been to the [FEI World Cup™ Final] a few times, and I really only want to go if I’m going to be a contender. I’d like to plan on going right now.

“The Longines FEI World Cup™ Final is a particular type of competition, in a small, indoor arena, so you need an indoor specialist and [the horse has] to hold up over five rounds, which is also a lot of jumping so I wouldn’t necessarily take [Olympic mount] Voyeur there. He’s a little bit of an older horse and he’s jumped multiple championships already for me. I think that would be a big ask of him at this point in his career. But if one of my younger ones is ready in my eyes to go, then I’ll take a swing at it.”

Playing to strength

“I tend not to watch too many,” Farrington said about his approach to competition. “I watch a couple riders and a few lines for reference. But watching a million horses doesn’t help for me. I’m better when I ride my own plan and do my own thing with my horses and I think that’s why in Nations Cup settings, I’m better to go in first. That plays more to my strengths.”

And as much as he’s aware of his own strengths, he also structures courses to play to his horses’ strengths. For his winning horse, he knew he could call on her carefulness to ride a clear round.

“I think in any class, I try to play to my hose’s strengths, regardless of what everyone else is doing, and I try to work within parameters for my own horse and do what is going to work best for my own horse,” he added. “If that means adding a stride, then I’ll do that and make up the time someplace else.”

Farrington found Gazelle three years ago, from Stephan Conter (BEL) and his Stephex Stables.

“The horse is typical of what I try to buy: a very careful horse,” Farrington said. “I would rather buy an extremely careful horse and have to manage confidence. I think that’s really the modern sport today. That’s what you need in a young horse. They can tend to be a bit spooky and a bit suspicious and it takes a little time to gain confidence in the rider, but in the end, that’s how you get a top horse.”

Climbing rank

The first horse-and-rider pair to go clear in the first round, Jacobs and Cassinja S, proved the possibilities for a fault-free performance.

“You have to get moving out there, for sure, because the time allowed is tight,” he said, following his successful, first round. “I was fortunate to draw eighth in the order so I got to watch riders and still have fresh turf – it tends to get deep here [with the footing].”

But his favorable positioning for the first round quickly turned to a drawback in the jump off when only he and current World No. 2 Farrington were the only riders left competing.

“In the jump off, I was first to go, which was at a disadvantage,” Jacobs said. “When you have the World No. 2 behind you, you have to go fast. I made a rider’s error when I turned her in the air [over the oxer] before she cleared the back and forced her to have the rail behind. It’s something I hope to fix in the future.”

Jacobs has qualified for, and competed in, two FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals, in 2014 and in 2016, and hopes to ride again at the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Omaha, Neb. in March. And with a solid, second-place finish in the class, in addition to an eighth-place finish at Bromont CSI3*-W, Jacobs currently leads the East Coast sub-league standings.

“There’s no question that Cassinja is my top horse right now,” he said. “She’s a 10-year-old, Zweibrücker mare that I’ve had for three years. I took her to Gothenburg as my second horse and jumped her in the Easter Sunday consolation class. She was quite good, but it seems like this spring, she’s come out with guns a-blazing. She’s very talented and very powerful. She’s a big mare with a lot of heart.”

First round faults

Ireland’s Alan Wade designed the courses to test scope and accuracy, which ultimately forced faults from 38 riders in a starting list of 40 entries. While rails fell throughout the 13-obstacle, first round track, a majority came through an early triple combination of an oxer to a vertical to an oxer in two strides to a one stride.

“The triple combination is slightly uphill but it’s on the best ground,” said Wade during the course walk. “It’s early in the course but I wanted it to be on the best grass on the field.”

Riders also struggled with the liverpool, set with yellow poles, that rode downhill to the double combination. Additionally, a rollback turn to a wide oxer at fence 10 that led into a tight, four strides to a careful vertical at fence 11 could claim responsibility for multiple faults.

Current World No. 4 and fellow Olympic medallist, McLain Ward (USA), nearly recorded a first round clear aboard HH Carlos Z, jumping through the difficult obstacles until the penultimate, skinny vertical. With the slightest rub from the horse’s belly, the rail fell.

“Actually, I think this was the best grand prix that Carlos has ever jumped,” Ward said, after his round. “It was difficult, but it should be. Everything came off the way I wanted. He had a very light touch and sometimes fortune doesn’t go your way.

“Most successful riders have the worker bees in their strings, and Carlos is head of that category for me. He can do any class at a show, and right now, he has to carry a lot of weight with Azur having a rest [following the 2016 Rio Olympics].

“I realized the course was quite careful today. The jumps came up just the way I wanted. It was just a bit of bad luck. The skinny [jump] is always a bit of a bogey fence. But, absolutely, Omaha is on our radar. When we have a horse like Azur, [the Longines FEI World Cup™ Final] is definitely on our radar.”

Ward finished with the fastest, four-fault score to place fifth, while Lauren Tisbo (USA) and Laura Kraut (USA) finished in third and fourth, respectively, with a single time fault each.

“It’s a young horse I have,” said Tisbo. “I just got him in the middle of February so this was a big step up for him so I’m very happy with his round today.”

The third stop of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League East Coast sub-league will head indoors at Washington, D.C. CSI4*-W in October.

Full results: http://www.longinestiming.com/#!/equestrian/2016/1225/html/en/longinestiming/resultlist_104.html

About the American Gold Cup

Held over five days at Old Salem Farm, the American Gold Cup brings together a diverse crowd of elite equestrian athletes, discerning horse owners, excited fans and young hopefuls, eager to watch their idols. In addition to the competition ring, the international show jumping event features high-end shopping located along boutique row. From top-notch equestrian tack and equipment to fashion, jewelry, antiques, art and much more, the scenic outdoor boutiques offer the perfect opportunity to shop during breaks from the competition action.

Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, a historic and pristine grass grand prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world’s most charming and picturesque venue settings. For the past four years, the North American Riders Group (NARG) has recognized the Old Salem Farm competitions on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its yearlong competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.

Live FEI TV Action

For those unable to attend the NAL events, tune in to live action of all fourteen of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualifiers on FEI TV, the FEI’s official video platform: www.feitv.org. The additional FEI classes at these competitions will be available to view via livestream on the FEI’s YouTube channel. Visit www.youtube.com/user/feichannel to view the full details on the livestream.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

A total of 14 athletes from the new North American League will qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico will qualify for the Final, alongside winners of the 13 other leagues from around the world.

The North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Final.

The new league was launched by Beezie Madden, the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time, American Gold Cup winner and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Jessica Springsteen, and Hannah Selleck, team and individual gold medalist at young rider level and one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars. Full launch release here: https://goo.gl/kCIsyW

Share images, video, experiences using hashtag #FEIWorldCupNAL

By Esther Hahn

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

HITS Million Saugerties and American Gold Cup Offer FEI-Level Competition

(C) ESI Photography. Beezie Madden and Simon claim the CP $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5* on September 6, 2015 at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

The Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI 5* and will take place on Sunday, September 11 the HITS Championship, the grand finale of the HITS Saugerties show series. The Saugerties Million, first introduced in 2009 and held in 2010, will debut its seventh consecutive year of the historic, FEI-sanctioned class at HITS-on-the-Hudson in 2016.

HITS Saugerties will also host a show the week prior to the Saugerties Million from August 31 – September 4. HITS-on-the-Hudson Week VII will feature two Grand Prix, the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.

New York will also play host to another popular show jumping event in the fall, The American Gold Cup, which is celebrating its fifth year of competition this year at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York. The historic show will take place September 14-18, featuring the $216,000 CSI 4* Longines FEI World Cup on Sunday, September 18.

The American Gold Cup and the HITS Championship will be held back to back in September, and are conveniently located just an hour away from each other. High Performance riders are encouraged to take advantage of both events to participate in two of the highest quality competitions of the season.

HITS President and CEO Thomas Struzzieri said, “With two premium events, the American Gold Cup and the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, so close in both proximity and scheduling, high performance riders will benefit from the convenience that HITS-on-the-Hudson and Old Salem Farm provide.”

Management from both events will be communicating with one another to ensure a smooth transition between the two venues for horses and riders, and can help with any special requests. Both HITS and Morrissey Management will be diligent in their efforts to support competitors at both events.

“We are planning a great show at this year’s American Gold Cup, as well as working closely with HITS to create a seamless transition between our two events,” continued American Gold Cup Manager Michael Morrissey. “This is a unique opportunity for riders to participate in two top-notch events within a short drive of each other. We are looking forward to working together with the HITS team.”

Struzzieri added, “HITS and Old Salem will be working together to assist riders in making their plans, including coordinating quarantine if necessary, as well as communicating arrival arrangements with Old Salem management to make the transition from Saugerties to North Salem as smooth as possible.”

For further information on the HITS Championship or for tickets to this year’s Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix CSI-5*, visit the HITS Horse Shows website or call the HITS corporate office at 845.246.8833.

For further information or for tickets to this year’s American Gold Cup, visit the American Gold Cup website at www.theamericangoldcup.com.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Written by: Allyson Lagiovane, Phelps Media Group
Adapted by: HITS Horse Shows Staff

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z Win FEI World Cup Jumping $215k American Gold Cup

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z take top honors at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping $215,000 American Gold Cup in New York (13 September) (StockImageServices.com/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 14 September 2015 – An accurate jump-off effort from Richie Moloney (IRL) resulted in the only clear round in a six-man field and earned the win at yesterday’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping $215,000 American Gold Cup in New York.

The impressive, 1.60-metre track designed by Alan Wade (IRL) featured 14 obstacles with 17 jumping attempts. Utilising the arena’s graded terrain and natural barriers, Wade’s course managed to hold 31 horse-and-rider pairs, out of the original field of 37, from the final round. Liubov Kochetova (RUS) aboard Veyron was the second in the order of go, and navigated a rail-free round, but with less than a second over the time allowed she recorded the only one-fault score in the first round.

Otherwise, rails fell in a variety of places throughout the course, with increased incidents at the triple and double combinations. “Wade is a horse-friendly, competitor-friendly designer,” according to Frank Madden, the class’s commentator and resident trainer. “He uses no gimmicks and no trickery.”

Daniel Bluman (COL) and Conconcreto Sancha LS recorded the first clear as the third horse-and-rider team to enter the ring. “I had an early draw today in the first round, so I couldn’t really see many people jump before me,” Bluman said. “I just wanted to ride my plan. I found it extremely technical and careful, and it took extremely good horses and riders to jump a clear round today. I was very satisfied with the way my mare jumped. We’ve been together for five or six years, and it never gets old to jump a clear round.”

The next clear didn’t come for another eight rounds, when Catherine Tyree (USA), a 21-year-old student at Northwestern University, piloted Enjoy Louis around a fault-free effort, making for a jump off. Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut (USA), Moloney, hometown favorite Peter Lutz (USA) and André Thieme (GER) shortly followed with impressive, clear rounds of their own.

Winning time

When the first three jump off attempts each pulled a rail, the door was wide open for a clear round to claim the victory. “The first round was quite technical,” Moloney said. “The course needed quite a bit of scope. In the jump off, there was no-one clear before I went, so the first four jumps in the jump off I stuck to my plan and went a little bit forward, then toward the end of the jump-off round, I got a little bit careful and made sure I jumped a clear round.”

The strategy of an efficient and accurate ride – albeit slower than the four-fault jump off rounds – landed Moloney at the top, after the two final jump-off performances from Lutz and Thieme recorded faults.

“Richie’s due for a win like this,” Madden commented during Moloney’s round.

“The difference between synthetic sand and grass footing is that it’s not necessarily the fastest round that’s going to be the best on grass,” he added.

Moloney’s winning round was on Carrabis Z, also his winning mount at the CSI4* $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix earlier in the summer. “He’s a 12-year-old stallion and quite a small horse,” Moloney said. “He’s very scopey and very careful. He has a lot of blood, is a little bit hot, and he’s actually green. I got him when he was nine; he’s getting better all the time.”

The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas (USA) in April was not an original goal for Moloney, until he won the second qualifier of the East Coast league. “We go to Central Park next then Tryon in October,” Moloney said.

“My goals are to try and be competitive and that’s kind of it, really,” he added. “Long term, I have a few very nice horses, and it would be nice to do Europe next summer and maybe a few Nations Cup classes.”

“I went to World Cup Finals this year in Vegas, and I saw how hard it was and I wasn’t sure I had a horse, or two horses, that it would suit. We’ll see. You never know by the time the end of April comes.”

Although Moloney rides for Ireland, he is currently based in Wellington during the winter and splits his time between Tryon (North Carolina) and Riverhead (New York) during the summer.

“It was great to win here today,” he said. “My horse jumped amazing. He’s been jumping great lately, and it’s nice for him to get the win here today.”

Best in show

The American Gold Cup earned the top ranking for the best show in the United States earlier this year by the North American Riders Group. “Everything went as planned today,” said Michael Morrissey, the president of stadium jumping and show manager of the American Gold Cup. “It was a picture-perfect day with standing room only.”

All four riders involved in the press conference praised the Old Salem Farm venue for providing the best facilities for the class and for the show. Kraut noted that whether she went first or went 60th in a class throughout the week, the footing remained the same.

“I’m from North Salem and grew up in Fairfield, just 20 minutes from here,” said Lutz. “I’ve been coming to this horse show almost my whole life. I’m so happy that the American Gold Cup is here because we live here.”

“It’s very good to jump on the grass,” added Moloney. “I think there should be more grass fields like this because I’ve been jumping on sand all year and the last two shows, Hamptons and here, have been on the grass. I think most horses prefer (jumping on grass). The atmosphere here was great.”

“It was a very good class,” concluded Morrissey. “The field held up really well. Alan Wade did a really remarkable job today and the whole week. It was great, a great class.”

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the annual American Gold Cup and the fourth year that Old Salem Farm has hosted the show.

See full results: http://bit.ly/1iaRawr

Facts & Figures

In the first round of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping $215,000 American Gold Cup there were six clear rounds, one with one fault, six with four faults and twelve with eight faults. Four horse-and-rider pairs were eliminated.

Conor Swail and Viva Columbia won Friday’s $85,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier, presented by Windsor Show Stables, but missed the jump off with twelve faults in the first round. There were 14 clear rounds in last Friday’s qualifying class, in comparison to only six clear rounds on Sunday.

The top five horses in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping $215,000 American Gold Cup were all bays; two were stallions, two were geldings and one was a mare.

Quotes

Richie Moloney (IRL): “Carrabis Z jumped really well at Hamptons Grand Prix, and I had the last fence down. He’s been jumping great, so I had it in my head that I really had to go for it and win today.

“When I tried him, he was late in his eight-year-old year, and he was actually very green for an eight-year-old. He has a lot of blood, a little bit difficult to ride, but he’s very careful. Even though he’s 12 this year, I feel he’s just starting to really improve at the start of the summer, so hopefully there’s more good things to come.

“I was nervous just to do well because I really wanted to go clear in the first round, and just nervous because I wanted to do well for my horse because he’s been jumping so good.

“I work for a very good sponsor Equanimity, an American family, and they’ve been great to me. They’ve bought a very good team of horses, and I’m very lucky to have them as owners. I appreciate them very much.”

Daniel Bluman (COL): “This class with Sancha is one of the last classes of the year. She’s not really a horse that I would like to do much with in the indoor circuit just because we’ve already jumped a lot. We had the Pan American Games, Florida and a good summer, so I was looking to come here for the first time with this horse.

“I’ve been here before but not with her (so I wanted) to try to give it a nice show to the grand prix. I know it was a big class and it feels great. It’s definitely different for us growing up in South America. It’s not usual to ride in fields like this. It takes a lot of concentration, and it’s fun. It’s a different sort of challenge.

“That’s a very special horse for me. I started my five-star and international career with her and she took me to the Olympic Games, my first Pan American Games, and we’ve learned a lot together. We’ve been through a lot of things and now she’s 12 years old. She’s feeling as good as ever. We know each other better, we know how to make a good plan that fits well for her and fits well for me and I could stay all afternoon here speaking about her. You can imagine, she means a lot to me and to get a result today it’s good for her, for her name, at least.”

Peter Lutz (USA): “The horse I ride, Robin de Ponthual, owned by Katherine Gallagher and Michael Miller, I’ve been riding for about a year, and we just stepped up into the grand prix this spring, and this summer we’ve had some really nice results. This was our first jump off at this level so again, I was really thrilled with how he went and with our placing. I’m just getting to know him, and he’s been super.”

American Gold Cup

Held over five days at Old Salem Farm, New York, the American Gold Cup brings together a diverse crowd of elite equestrian athletes, discerning horse owners, excited fans and young hopefuls, eager to watch their idols. In addition to the competition ring, the international Jumping event features high-end shopping. From top-notch equestrian tack and equipment to fashion, jewelry, antiques, art and much more, the scenic outdoor boutiques offer the perfect opportunity to shop during breaks from the competition action.

The venue boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, a historic and pristine grass grand prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world’s most charming and picturesque venue settings. For the past four years, the North American Riders Group (NARG) has recognized the Old Salem Farm competitions on their NARG Top 25 List.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

The North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

A total of 14 athletes from the new North American League will qualify for next year’s prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden on 23-28 March 2016.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico will qualify for the Final, alongside winners of the 13 other leagues from around the world.

Share images, video, experiences using hashtag #FEIWorldCupNAL.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League launch

The new North American league was launched by Beezie Madden, the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time, American Gold Cup winner and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Jessica Springsteen, and Hannah Selleck, team and individual gold medalist at young rider level and one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars. The full launch release is available here: https://goo.gl/kCIsyW.

By Esther Hahn

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Old Salem Farm Hosts Top Equitation Riders at Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship

Katherine Bundy is presented with winner’s awards by trainers John Brennan and Missy Clark, as well as National Horse Show Association of America President Mason Phelps. ©Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

North Salem, NY – September 13, 2015 – Old Salem Farm was home to the Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship during the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W this week. Top local equitation riders competed on Saturday with hopes to qualify for the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championship Finals at the National Horse Show in Lexington, KY this November.

Old Salem Farm gives equitation riders an early opportunity for indoor competition at a top-quality venue before Indoor Finals each fall. Frank Madden, trainer at Old Salem Farm, was proud to host the Region 2 Championship, stating, “The American Gold Cup is always a highlight of our year at Old Salem Farm, and to have the Region 2 Maclay be a part of that only adds to the excitement of the week.”

“I was glad to see such great rides today, but also to see show jumping fans from the local community come out to enjoy the events,” he concluded.

Sixteen-year-old Katherine Bundy of Westport, CT impressed in all three phases to take top honors over 37 riders. Bundy was one of six pairs to return for additional testing. Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, VA returned first, followed by Maya Nayyar of New York, NY; T. J. O’Mara of Rumson, NJ; Bundy; Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY; and lastly, Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY.

When Bundy was called back to flat in Section A, she knew her trip to Kentucky was final and breathed a sigh of relief before her test. “It was a good feeling to know I had made it going into the flat and I am really excited now that I’m in. Now my mom can finally buy a hotel room,” she laughed.

Bundy’s trainer, Missy Clark, uses the equitation offerings at Old Salem Farm during the American Gold Cup as a prelude to Indoor Finals and thinks it serves a pivotal role in getting her riders ready. “It’s a great prep for the upcoming season,” she said. “Getting in this ring throughout the last couple days and getting your sea legs back to ride indoors is important. It’s a great event and we always enjoy coming here.”

The testing order shuffled significantly with Bundy nailing the counter canter for the win. Nayyar took second with a smooth round, while T. J. O’Mara claimed third. St. Jacques settled for fourth, Deslauriers was fifth, and Strauss capped the top six.

“The courses were really friendly and inviting, and the jumps were beautiful, which always helps,” said Bundy, who piloted Levkoi. The gelding is a mount she owns and has been riding for two years, but just returned to the tack this winter after an injury. “He is one of most comfortable horses I’ve ever ridden. It’s the closest thing to floating on a cloud,” she said the horse she calls Leo around the barn. “It all came together for us this year in Lake Placid, but we even made a little mistake there, so I redeemed myself here.”

This week at Old Salem Farm, the American Gold Cup is one of only seven events that will comprise the East Coast division of the all-new Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. Highlighting the final day of the American Gold Cup, the $215,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, will be available on FEI TV. Click here to subscribe to FEI TV. NBC Sports Network will also air the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W on Monday, September 14, from 7-8:30 p.m.

About Old Salem Farm

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 through 2014. Host of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-4*-W, 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. Facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. For the past four years, the North American Riders Group (NARG) has recognized the Old Salem Farm competitions on their NARG Top 25 List. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its yearlong competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.

About the American Gold Cup

Held over five days, the American Gold Cup brings together a diverse crowd of elite equestrian athletes, discerning horse owners, excited fans and young hopefuls waiting to catch a glimpse of their idols set amongst a fanfare of family-friendly activities, competitions, shopping, entertainment and celebrity sightings.

In addition to the competition ring, the international show jumping event features high-end shopping located along Old Salem Farm’s boutique row. From top-notch equestrian tack and equipment to fashion, jewelry, antiques, art and much more, the scenic outdoor boutiques offer show-goers the perfect opportunity to get some shopping in while taking a break from the competition action.

Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
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