May 12, 2016 – North Salem, NY – Ann Misenheimer and her own Cornerstone were presented as Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champions after topping the 50 and Over Division on Thursday at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 10-15 and May 17-22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. On the Grand Prix Field, Mattias Tromp of North Salem, NY, topped the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m aboard KM Whatever RV for owner Bayaert Farm, Inc.
Ann Misenheimer and Cornerstone; photo © The Book
Misenheimer, who hails from Unionville, PA, and trains with Stacia Madden, rode to three blue ribbons over fences to earn the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship, her first-ever grand champion honor at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Misenheimer and Cornerstone, a ten-year-old Brandenburg mare, were also fifth under saddle and fifth over fences.
“I had no idea that I was going to be grand champion and I was so excited,” said Misenheimer. “This mare is the best. A good mare is a great horse, and she is all of those things.”
Ann Misenheimer and Cornerstone in their Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion presentation; photo © The Book
Peaches, as Cornerstone is known around the barn, has been with Misenheimer since 2012 and has carried her owner in both the Adult and Amateur-Owner Divisions. Bred as a dressage horse in Germany, Cornerstone was found for Misenheimer by hunter judge, Scott Williamson. But, Misenheimer’s attraction to Cornerstone wasn’t exactly traditional.
“[Scott] called me and told me about a horse I needed to see,” said Misenheimer about the first time she saw Cornerstone. “He told me I would love her, and I needed to have her. I watched two videos of her doing the First Years in Ocala and a third video of her as a four or five year old, jumping around bridleless! I said, ‘That’s an amateur horse, and I will end up with her.’”
Four years later Misenheimer admits it’s like a dream come true to be able to show at her current level after riding as a child.
Reserve champion honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over Division were presented to James Anderson and Forever, owned by Rivers Edge. They won the under saddle and were first, second, and third over fences.
Mattias Tromp and KM Whatever RV Rally to Win $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m
North Salem native Mattias Tromp was first and third in the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m on Thursday. He and KM Whatever RV topped 34 contenders in the one-round speed format class for the win. After finishing the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m with the fastest time, but an unlucky rail on Wednesday, Tromp made a last-minute decision to enter the 1.45m and it paid off.
Mattias Tromp and KM Whatever RV; photo © The Book
Tromp added KM Whatever RV to his string a year ago after finding the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding through McLain Ward.
“I’ve mostly been getting used to him and learning how to ride him,” said Tromp. “We have been doing the 1.40m and 1.45m classes and we led the 1.40m standings in Ocala this winter. He’s such a fun horse to show and compete.”
After only a year together, KM Whatever RV is a mount Tromp would like to keep under him for seasons to come.
“It will be great to show him more and get some results on him,” said Tromp. “He’s a pleasure to have, and I don’t want to see him go anytime soon. You can see your distances a mile away on him.”
Mattias Tromp and KM Whatever RV presentation with Chelsea Dwinell of Old Salem Farm; photo © The Book
This week marked KM Whatever RV’s first time on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm, and Tromp admitted that he felt very brave.
“It’s a beautiful venue and one of the nicest places to show at,” concluded Tromp, who was also third on Thursday in the irons of Triomphe Z for Bayaert Farm, Inc.
The Grand Prix Field will continue Open Jumper competition with the $6,500 Open Jumper 1.35m on Friday before the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake takes the stage at the revised time of 11 am.
Final Results: $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m
1 KM Whatever RV: 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Murano x Amethist
Mattias Tromp (USA), Bayaert Farm, Inc.: 0/65.79
2 CHERRYPOP: 2007 Oldenburg mare by Contendro I x Coriano
Mario Deslauriers (USA), Wishing Well Farm, LLC: 0/66.808
3 TRIOMPHE Z: 2007 Zangersheide gelding by Triomphe de Muze x Celano
Mattias Tromp (USA), Bayaert Farm, Inc.: 0/67.860
4 QANTOR DES ETISSES: 2004 Selle Francais gelding by Quick Star
McLain Ward (USA), McLain Ward: 0/68.400
5 WIRMA: 2003 KWPN mare by Hors La Loi II x Lux
Edward Levy (FRA), Remarkable Farms, LLC: 0/69.962
6 ZELDA: 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare by Concorde x Olisco
Sarah Segal (USA), T.K. Farm: 0/71.060
7 BELUGA: 2006 Dutch Warmblood mare by Cardento
Danielle Menker (USA), Emily Wygod: 0/71.843
8 DARLON VAN GROENHOVE: 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Clinton x Heartbreaker
Brianne Goutal (USA), Remarkable Farms, LLC: 0/73.180
9 CALIDA: 2006 Brandenburg mare by Con Sherry x Boritas
Chelsea Moss (USA), Stormfront Stables, LLC: 0/73.339
10 CORIANDOLO DI RIBANO: 2007 Stella Italiano stallion by Cassini II x Baldini
Lauren Tisbo (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/73.740
11 HH MEMPHIS: 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Armitage x Cruising
Quentin Judge (USA), Double H Farm: 0/74.839
12 WANNICK WH: 2003 KWPN stallion by Heartbreaker x Joost
Christine McCrea (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/74.997
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 CSI 2* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 15, and the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* 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.
Major events on the live stream include (times are subject to change):
Week 1
$35,000 New York Welcome Stake, brought to you by Great American Insurance, on Friday, May 13, 11 am
$15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 14, 12 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Sunday, May 15, 1:30 pm
$50,000 Old Salem Farm CSI 2* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 15, 2 pm
Week 2
$35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, brought to you by Great American Insurance, on Friday, May 20, 1pm
$35,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 21, 12 pm
$15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, on Friday, Saturday May 21, 1 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Saturday, May 21, 1:30 pm
$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, on Saturday, May 21, 2 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Sunday, May 22, 2 pm
$130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 22, 2:30pm