May 13, 2018 – North Salem, NY – Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), of Greenwich, CT, led her first grand prix victory gallop riding Toulago after the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 13, at the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 20 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
Adrienne Sternlicht won her first grand prix in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Toulago on Sunday, May 13, during the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
From a field of 40 over tracks built by Ken Krome of Westminster, MD, Sternlicht, who celebrated her 25th birthday on Wednesday, May 9, was first to return in an 11-horse jump-off. She and Toulago, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Toulon x Carthago Z) owned by Starlight Farms, LLC, laid down an unbeatable time in 39.15 seconds for the win.
“It was an amazing day,” said Sternlicht. “It’s a bit surreal and everyone was telling me not to cry. I am super happy with my horse and even happier that I executed my plan.”
Sternlicht trains with U.S. Olympic team gold medalist and Brewster, NY, native McLain Ward, who is known for pulling out all the stops when it counts.
Adrienne Sternlicht and Toulago are presented as winners of the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, by Old Salem Farm owner Kamran Hakim and family on Sunday, May 13, during the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
“McLain’s advice was to do six from one to two and I wasn’t sure how that would ride given that I did eight in the first round, but I picked up a good canter and believed in my horse,” said Sternlicht, who executed the two-stride leave out perfectly. “My horse is incredible and quite brave. He really knows his job and he’s quite seasoned at this level; I‘m really lucky to have him as a teacher. Typically, I would ride a bit conservative to the last fence [in a jump-off], but I knew I had nothing to lose with so many fast horses coming after me, especially Sydney on her horse Villamoura, who was definitely the fastest horse in the class. I knew I had to take a shot.”
Sternlicht took that shot and held off Sydney Shulman (USA), also of Greenwich, CT. But, it was a rivalry among friends as the two young riders have been competing together since they were children.
Sydney Shulman finished second in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Villamoura on Sunday, May 13, during the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
“She’s like my sister,” said Sternlicht. “We were best friends since we were born and she’s family to me. It’s amazing to have that kind of connection with someone in the sport.”
Shulman and her nine-year-old mare by Diamant de Semilly, owned by her mother Jill Shulman, stopped the timers just short of the lead in 39.29 seconds.
“This is a relatively green horse and she’s small, but she’s just shown class after class that she tries every time and it’s a great finish,” said Shulman. “I think my horse comes up to Adrienne’s horse’s knee caps, but she’s super quick across the ground so I really had to stay calm and cool and collected. I’m thrilled that Adrienne won today; it almost feels like I’m winning myself when she does well.”
Charles Jacobs (USA) of Boston, MA, jumped into the top three with a double-clear finish in 40.08 seconds riding his two-time FEI World Cup Jumping Final mount, Cassinja S, a 12-year-old Dutch Sporthorse mare owned by CMJ Sporthorse, LLC.
Charlie Jacobs took third in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Cassinja S on Sunday, May 13, during the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
“I bought her as a seven-year-old and she’s my girl – I love her,” he said. “I have been jumping here at Old Salem Farm for many years and the showgrounds make significant improvement each year. It’s a great show and we get top horses and riders who come out year after year. It’s always a pleasure to jump on a grass field, win or lose.”
With a time of 41.34 seconds, Ireland’s Cormac Hanley finished in fourth riding Alma Z, owned by Heathman Farm, LLC, and Mario Deslauriers (CAN) rounded out the top five aboard Bardolina 2 for owner Wishing Well Farm, LLC in 41.39 seconds.
As the first week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows comes to a close, FEI riders will now turn their focus to CSI3* competition during week two, which offers the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 20.
Spectators are welcome at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows with free general admission to Old Salem Farm Wednesday through Friday. On the weekend of 19-20, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12.
Final Results: $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group
1 TOULAGO: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Toulon x Carthago Z
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms LLC: 0/0/39.15
2 VILLAMOURA: 2009 mare by Diamant de Semilly
SYDNEY SHULMAN (USA), Jill Shulman: 0/0/39.29
3 CASSINJA S: 2006 Dutch Sporthorse mare by Carinjo x Cassini I
CHARLES JACOBS (USA), CMJ Sporthorse, LLC: 0/0/40.80
4 ALMA Z: 2007 Oldenburg mare by Chacco-Blue x Pablo
CORMAC HANLEY (IRL), Heathman Farm, LLC: 0/0/41.34
5 BARDOLINA 2: 2009 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Landos
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/0/41.39
6 CHAMONIX H: 2001 SWB mare by Equest Carnute x Caletto II
KELLI CRUCIOTTI (USA), Serenity Farm: 0/0/42.28
7 CARACHO 14: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Dobel’s Cento x Acodetto
LUCY DAVIS (USA), Old Oak Farm: 0/0/43.44
8 BALOU 660: 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Ramiro
VASCO FLORES (PUR), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/4/42.68
9 DALI DE VY: 2009 SBS mare by Ugano Sitte x Fidji du Fleury
CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/4/45.29
10 CROWN 5: 2005 Holsteiner by Cassini I x Lord
GEORGINA BLOOMBER (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/4/48.45
11 PENELOPE CRUZ: 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare by Ustinov x Peter Pan
CAPT. BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Capt. Brian Cournane: 0/Elim.
12 QUI VIVE DES SONGES Z: 2006 Zangersheide stallion by Quaprice Z x Lagos
HEATHER CARISTO-WILLIAMS (USA), Holly & Ralph Caristo: 1/77.55