Keri Smith and Pegasus. Photo by SEL Photography

By Summer Grace / EQ Media Agency

North Salem, NY — Sept. 16, 2020 —Exhibitors made their return to Old Salem Farm Wednesday for the premiere of Old Salem Farm Fall Series Week II. Jumpers were featured in both the arena and the Grand Prix Field with highlight classes, including the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper Stake and a $250 Child/Adult Jumper class. It was ultimately Keri Smith and Pegasus that captured the win in the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper Stake.

In the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper Stake, seven combinations managed fault-free first rounds of the Kevin Giblin-designed course. Smith and her own 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Pegasus (Periaveux x Camilla PJ) produced a double clear effort and crossed the timers in 40.407 seconds.

Though at a peak performance age, the gelding has only been under saddle for a little over three years. Smith had hip replacement surgery this past year, so the duo have only returned to their riding partnership since March.

“He’s a great horse and even with his limited experience and time off, he just jumped right back into work,” Smith said. She credits his success back in the show ring to her team at her own Topline Stables in Medfield, Massachusetts, which includes Olympic dressage rider and trainer Dottie Morkis.

“I am very lucky that I was able to have him kept in work by other riders at my farm,” she said. “He didn’t jump while I was recovering but I have a former Olympian that works with us at the farm and she definitely kicks all of our butts so it keeps the horses in very good shape.”

Keri Smith Soaring with Pegasus. Photo by SEL Photography

Smith also works as a nurse and says that having a farm to call home is part of her recipe for success. She plans to continue in the 1.30m Open Jumper division with Pegasus for the remainder of the week but is looking forward to competing him in the $10,000 Old Salem Farm Jumper Classic on the final day of Week II.

Alice Debany Clero (USA) and Old Salem Farm Acquisition Corp’s 8-year-old North American Studbook gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Roxanne) Roxstar were hot on Smith’s heels for the second place position, while veteran show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) secured the third place position with the Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC 10-year-old Holsteiner (Carambole x Caretino 2) entry La Caramba .

Wendy Salomon Wins the $250 Child/Adult Jumper class with Carpathia K. Photo by SEL Photography

Wendy Salomon and Carpathia K Victorious in $250 Child/Adult Jumper 

The second jumper ring finished up with a win today for Wendy Salomon and Tiffany Marr’s Carpathia K. The Pittstown, NJ native and the 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Cardento x Larissa) were one of only three pairings to make it to the jump off and the only to produce two clean rounds.

“This mare is so great and she always gives me the confidence I need in the ring,” Salomon said. “The course rode very nicely today and the sand ring here has exceptional footing so we really couldn’t ask for more.”

She added, “We are so fortunate to have great show managers in the tri-state area to be able to keep doing what we love even during this very trying time.”

Thursday will kick off another day of competition including both hunter and jumper divisions. Feature classes will include the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper Stake and the Old Salem Farm Hunter 3’0”. The highlight of the week will be the NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay Region 2 Championship Saturday, Sept. 19.