By Lindsay Brock/Jump Media
May 8, 2019 – North Salem, NY – Brady Mitchell of North Salem, NY, was perfect over fences to secure his mount Mayfield a Grand Hunter Championship at the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, on Wednesday, May 8. Highlighting jumper action on the Grand Prix Field during the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 7-12 and May 14-19, Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) topped the $7,500 Open Jumper 1.40m riding Berdien.
Mitchell and Mayfield, a nine-year-old gelding owned by Dana Schwartz’s Float On Equestrian, jumped to two wins on Tuesday and returned to collect two more blue ribbons and clinch the 3’6” Performance Hunter division on Wednesday.
Mayfield and Brady Mitchell jumped to a champion ribbon in the 3’6” Performance Hunter Division, which won them Grand Hunter Champion honors during the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
“He’s one of the only horses I have sat on that you can feel trying to win,” said Mitchell, who got the horse after it was developed by John Bragg and Nick Haness in California. “He doesn’t make mistakes; he doesn’t rub jumps; he is not spooky, but [he is] careful; and he has the mind of a winner with great quality.
“I am really happy it went so well today,” continued Mitchell. “This is a hometown show for us, but competition is real here. There are a lot of very good riders, but he never let me down.”
Mayfield, ridden by Brady Mitchell (left) and groomed by Alvin Melendez (right), was named Grand Hunter Champion on Wednesday, May 8, during the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
After working for Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm based in Katonah, NY, Mitchell stepped out on his own three years ago and is now based just up the road from Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
“I’m lucky that I have two really fantastic customers, The Michaels Family’s Further Lane Farm and Dana Schwartz’s Float On Equestrian, who keep me busy and keep me on good horses,” said Mitchell, 35, who originally hails from Canada. “Adam [Graham] and I ran our own business in Canada before spending some great time with Andre and now we have formed Brady Mitchell, LLC. As everybody knows, this is not an easy business, but the good news for me is that I am a complete workaholic and I would not want to be doing anything else. I feel really lucky.”
The reserve champion title in the 3’6” Performance Hunter division was presented to On The Slye, ridden by Laura Bowery of Southampton, NY, and owned by Robinson Ridge, LLC.
After a banner week, Mitchell is also currently leading the $5,000 Mane ‘n Tail Hunter Rider Challenge with the high-point title from 3’6” Performance, 3’3” Green, 3’6” Green, Green Conformation, High Performance Conformation, and High Performance Hunter competition during week one of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Points earned at Old Salem Farm will be carried over to The Hampton Classic, running August 25 through September 1, 2019, with the $5,000 award being presented on Friday August 30, in Bridgehampton, NY.
Brady Mitchell, pictured with Jessica Weiss (left) and Karri Bellany (right) of Mane ‘n Tail, currently leads the $5,000 Mane ‘n Tail Hunter Rider Challenge, presented in cooperation with The Hampton Classic, at the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
Molly Ashe Cawley Takes On The Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows
Molly Ashe Cawley christened the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm with a victory in the $7,500 Open Jumper 1.40m riding Berdien on Wednesday afternoon. The eight-year-old mare showed the confidence and speed of a seasoned horse and broke the timers in 38.370 seconds over Marina Azevedo’s (BRA) immediate jump-off course to best Samantha Schaefer (USA) aboard Zarina de Vidau, owned by Kessler Show Stables.
“She really does not want to touch the poles!” said Cawley, 48, of the eight-year-old Zangersheide mare (Bustique x Querlybet Hero) owned by Louisburg Farm based out of Dover, MA. “I got her at the beginning of the winter season last year and it’s nice to have one like her that I know so well. She has been amazing since day one and is always in the top ribbons. The field felt great today, and I’m excited to keep jumping on it this week.”
Molly Ashe Cawley won the $7,5000 Open Jumper 1.45m riding Berdien on Wednesday, May 8, during the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
Cawley and the Louisburg Farm team have 10 horses at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, many of which are new to the string. She noted that she plans to take her time developing Berdien.
“We are just starting her up again because she has been off since the end of the winter season,” said Cawley. “This was her first time out and we are trying to be patient and not get too excited and do more than we should. I hope to get her doing some two-star grands prix and she will tell us what she’s ready for.”
Behind Cawley and Schaefer, Israel’s Daniel Bluman, who is now based out of North Salem, NY, rounded out the top three riding Gemma W for Blue Star Investments.
Jumper competition continues with Thursday’s $7,500 Open Jumper 1.40m on the Grand Prix Field before international competition kicks off with the FEI CSI2* Horse Inspection. For hunters, the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion will be crowned on Thursday in the Hedge Ring. Live streaming of the Grand Prix Field and June Road Ring at Old Salem Farm is continuous Tuesday through Sunday and available at OldSalemFarm.net.
Spectators are welcome at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows with free general admission to Old Salem Farm Tuesday through Friday. On the weekends of May 11-12 and 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.
Final Results: $7,500 Open Jumper 1.40m
1 BERDIEN: 2011 Zangersheide mare by Bustique x Querlybet Hero
MOLLY ASHE CAWLEY (USA), Louisburg Farm: 0/0/38.370
2 ZARINA DE VIDAU: 2011 CDE mare by Diamant de Semilly
SAMANTHA SCHAEFER (USA), RK Sporthorses, LLC: 0/0/38.702
3 GEMMA W: 2011 KWPN mare by Luidam x Unaniem
DANIEL BLUMAN (ISR), Blue Star Investments: 0/0/41.310
4 MANHATTAN: 2011 American Warmblood by Metropolitan x Langer III
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprizes, LLC: 0/0/41.750
5 BREGO R’N B: 2006 KWPN gelding by Namelus R x Gerlinus
KATHERINE DINANA (USA), Grant Road Partners, LLC: 0/0/43.480
6 EVITA S: 2009 KWPN mare by Verdi x Nimmerdor
ASHLEY BAKER (USA), Ashley Baker: 0/0/43.740
7 PEMBROKE: 2008 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Casall
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms LLC: 0/0/43.767
8 JAMAICA VAN PAEMEL: 2009 BWP mare by Cicero Z x Darco
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Luja, LLC: 0/1/48.145
9 BE GENTLE: 2006 KWPN mare by Ticallux Verte x Gentleman
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/4/39.768
10 CASTLEFIELD DREAM: 2011 Hanoverian by Clinton I x Cero
CAPTAIN BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Glenbeigh Farm, LLC: 0/4/41.070
11 CESSNA 24: 2009 Hanoverian mare by Contagio x Elba
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprizes, LLC.: 0/4/41.500
12 NOCHE DE RONDA: 2009 Oldenburg mare by Quintender x Loves Corinth
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Maarten Huygens and McLain Ward: 0/4/46.878