By Lindsay Brock/Jump Media
May 17, 2019 – North Salem, New York – New York City native Patricia Raynes piloted Touchdown to the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship on Thursday, May 16, at the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 19 at Old Salem Farm. Featured on Friday, May 17, Old Salem Farm showed its appreciation for all the dedicated grooms of horse sport in the $5,000 Old Salem Farm Grooms Class, presented by Maarten Huygens Horse Sales and McLain Ward.
Touchdown, owned by Hunt, Ltd. and ridden by Patricia Raynes, was named Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion on Thursday, May 16, during the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
Raynes and Touchdown, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quattro B, were unbeatable in two over fences classes before taking second in another and earning the running up spot under saddle. The consistent top placings earned them the champion tricolor in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 & Over Division and the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter title.
Raynes began riding Touchdown, owned by Gretchen Hunt of Hunt, Ltd., at the end of the winter season in Florida. The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show was their second horse show together and they have already become fast friends.
“He is such a trier and has a heart of gold,” said Raynes, who rides with Alex Hamer and Heather Hayes at Buxton Farm based in North Salem. “He is also very straightforward, and I love riding him. He’s not complicated at all and probably one of the sweetest horses I’ve ever ridden.
“Alex told me to keep my pace and maintain the same canter throughout my rounds,” continued Raynes. “Once I get a good pace I just have to ride him forward and everything is pretty much there.”
Touchdown was presented as Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion with (left to right) rider Patricia Raynes; trainers Alex Hamer, Heather Hayes, and David Laks of Buxton Farm; and owner Gretchen Hunt of Hunt, Ltd., on Thursday, May 16, during the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
Raynes is a former film producer who travels to North Salem from Manhattan to ride.
“I love Old Salem Farm,” she noted. “It feels like home for me and they do such a nice job with this show. The courses, footing, and awards are all great. I am very excited to have been grand champion here!
Diego Elizondo and Cliff Z topped the jumper section of the $5,000 Old Salem Farm Grooms Class, presented by Maarten Huygens Horse Sales and McLain Ward. Photo by The Book
Attention turned to the hardest working members of the horse show community on Friday afternoon, May 17, at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. The $5,000 Old Salem Farm Grooms Class, presented by Maarten Huygens Horse Sales and McLain Ward, ended the day on the Grand Prix Field with Diego Elizondo winning the jumper section with Cliff Z, owned by Gotham Enterprizes, LLC, and competed in the Open Jumper ranks with Gotham North rider Jeremy Sweetnam (IRL). Rudy Martinez took top honors in the hunter section with Adelina, owned by Arriana Boardman, who competed in the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Division.
Rudy Martinez and Adelina won the hunter section of the $5,000 Old Salem Farm Grooms Class, presented by Maarten Huygens Horse Sales and McLain Ward. Photo by The Book
Featured hunter competition continues on Saturday, May 18, with the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion presentation as well as the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby in the June Road Ring. International jumper competition also continues on Saturday, May 18, with the $35,700 Old Salem Farm Jumper Stake CSI3* and the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Miller Motorcars.
Spectators are welcome at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. On the weekend of May 18-19, admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and children 10-15, and free for children under 10.Stay up to date on Old Salem Farm at www.oldsalemfarm.net, and on social media with Old Salem Farm on Facebook, and @oldsalemfarmny on Twitter and Instagram. Follow for an exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at the Old Salem Farm experience, and join the conversation using #OldSalemFarm and #OSFlove.