April 27, 2016 – North Salem, NY The 34th annual Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows will get underway with Welcome Day events on Sunday, May 8, at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Following Welcome Day, the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows will host two weeks of exceptional hunter/jumper competition, highlighted by a CSI 2* on May 10-15, and a CSI 3*, held May 17-22.
A view of the competition at Old Salem Farm; photo © Jump Media
Welcome Day features hunter, jumper, and equitation competition for exhibitors and free admission for spectators, giving the local community and beyond the opportunity to experience Old Salem Farm.
Highlighting the schedule again this year is the return of The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) $2,000 Low Thoroughbred Hunter 3′ Division. T.I.P. classes are proudly offered at Old Salem Farm thanks to the support of Vivien G. Malloy, who owns Edition Farm, a Thoroughbred breeding farm in Dutchess County, NY. She presents the division in honor of her daughter, Debby Malloy Winkler, who showed at Old Salem Farm as a junior and passed away following a tragic fall from a horse at her home in Germany in 2011.
In addition to honoring the memory of Debby, the T.I.P. classes cast a well-deserved light on the opportunities available to Thoroughbreds that no longer have a place on the racetrack. Thoroughbreds in the show ring is a trend that Malloy remembers well and would like to see celebrated.
In addition to the T.I.P., The Jockey Club is also sponsoring High Point Thoroughbred awards and the third-annual presentation of the Debby Malloy Winkler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Malloy Family. The winner will have their name inscribed on this perpetual trophy, and it will remain at Old Salem Farm with winners added each year. Keirstin Johnsen and seven-year old Thoroughbred Hennepin, owned by Shelly Ferrall, hold the honor from 2015.
Keirstin Johnsen and Hennepin with Caitlin Malloy Brennan, owner Shelly Ferall and groom after winning High Point Thoroughbred; photo © Sarah Latterner
To celebrate the T.I.P. events, a reception will be held on the Pavilion Patio at 12 pm on May 8, and all are welcome to attend.
Welcome Day will feature an exciting schedule of competition for all levels, including opportunities to gain Marshall & Sterling Insurance League points through an Adult Medal, Sore No More Medal, Bit O’Straw Children’s and Adult Hunter Classics, and a Child/Adult Jumper Classic.
“Welcome Day is the perfect opportunity for local riders to compete on the same ground where the sport’s biggest names will show off in the following weeks,” said Old Salem Farm Head Trainer Frank Madden. “With excited exhibitors, loyal spectators, and horse sport fans turning out each year for Welcome Day, it is the perfect way to open the Spring Horse Shows.”
Commencing on Tuesday, May 10, following Welcome Day, the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer more than $500,000 in divisions ranging from ponies and equitation to Under 25 and top FEI competition. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday during the Spring Horse Shows. On the weekends of May 14-15 and 21-22, which feature the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 15, and the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 22, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12.
Stay on top of all things Old Salem Farm this spring with all-day live streaming of the Grand Prix Field Friday through Sunday at www.oldsalemfarm.net. Live streaming each Friday is brought to you by Great American Insurance, featuring the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake on May 13 and the $35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem on May 20. In addition, special live stream events including the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on May 15, the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, on May 21, and the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by the Kincade Group, on May 22, will feature ShowNet’s Time Aloud Pre-Game Show 20 minutes prior to the start of each event.