Darby Mazzarisi and Gemology (The Book LLC)
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows run May 5-10 and May 12-17 at the picturesque Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The shows feature over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week, bringing together top competitors, including Olympic show jumpers, from all corners of the country to compete for more than $500,000 in prize money.
Six years ago, Mazzarisi thought she was in the market for a "made" hunter ready for the show ring. Instead, what she got was Gemology as a gift from her husband in the form of a 6-month-old Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred project. The now seven-year-old mare by Popeye K made a patient Mazzarisi proud today, carrying her to champion in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-45 Division and staking her claim on Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion.
"It's actually a little bittersweet to see her arrive," said Mazzarisi. "It has been so fun to watch her mature. This is only her fifth time over three-foot and fourth away show."
Despite inexperience on paper, Gemology was flawless in the ring during the past two days. After winning both over fences classes yesterday, she was second under saddle and jumped to first and third today.
Reserve Champion in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-45 Division was presented to Lily Maddock of New York, NY and her own Mosaik. She was sixth, third and jumped to second twice over fences, and was fourth under saddle.
Darby Mazzarisi and Gemology are presented with winner's awards (The Book LLC)
Bred by Susan Cordell in Medford, NJ, Gemology fulfilled an ever-present attraction to the Thoroughbred type for Mazzarisi. "I've always loved the Thoroughbreds and she's very much one with that Thoroughbred gallop and great rhythm," she said. "She has a Thoroughbred heart – they either want it or they don't, and from the start she has wanted it. That makes it all the more fun."
While Mazzarisi is beginning to tire from a balancing act of midweek showing and racing home to meet the school bus for her three children, Gemology seems to get stronger and stronger each day. "She had so much energy today even after doing the Pre-Greens with Holly [Orlando]. I'm used to riding her and feeling like I have to hold her hand, but this horse show she walked in with her big girl pants on," joked Mazzarisi who trains with Stacia Madden at Beacon Hill Show Stables. "All the mistakes were mine, and I can own that. For me, that's a good feeling when you can fix your own mistakes and the horse was perfect."
Nilani Trent of New York, NY, and her own Autumn Rhythm won both over fences classes yesterday before jumping to first and second today for Champion in the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Division. Trent and Amelia McArdle's MVP took Reserve after second and fourth-place finishes yesterday, sixth under saddle and taking first over fences today.
Ann Misenheimer dominated the Adult Amateur Hunter 46 & Over Division, earning Champion aboard Westerly Farm's Cornerstone and Reserve Champion with Westerly Farm's Conmetro. Misenheimer won both over fences classes aboard Conmetro yesterday and picked up a second-place ribbon with Cornerstone. Today, she was third under saddle on Cornerstone before winning both over fences classes, and sixth under saddle with Conmetro together with fourth and seventh over fences.
With the completion of this week's classes counting towards the $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award, presented by Old Salem Farm, Holly Orlando has a commanding lead with Sandy Ferrell second and Louise Serio third. The Award will be presented at next week's $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, on Saturday.
Double H Farm Sweeps Top Two in $5,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
Mclain Ward and HH Carlos (The Book LLC)
Riders for Double H Farm captured first and second-place ribbons in today's $5,000 Open Jumper 1.40m with Ward of Brewster, NY, taking blue on HH Carlos Z. He stopped the clock at 57.784 seconds in the speed-format class.
"We have a great team! It's nice to see the young horses developing well and the seasoned horses having good results," said Ward of the recent success for Double H Farm.
Quentin Judge of Ridgefield, CT, followed Ward in second with HH Eli Cash just one second shy of the lead in 58.782 seconds. Kirsten Coe of Wellington, FL, rode to third aboard Hunter St. Anna Z for Lövsta Stuteri in 61.746 seconds.
Coming off a win in the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* to close out the season in Wellington this winter, HH Carlos Z remains in top form going into the summer season. And, according to Ward, the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding always shines at Old Salem Farm. Today he was true to form taking the course, set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, in stride with a specific goal coming up this weekend as the fences climb higher and the prize money increases.
“He is great on grass and is naturally very fast and experienced," said Ward. "These classes suit him. This was his prep for Sunday's [$50,000 Old Salem Farm] Grand Prix, [presented by The Kincade Group]."
Two wins over two days has Ward firmly leading the $20,000 Leading Jumper Rider Challenge, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group next Sunday. Peter Lutz currently sits second with Judge and Molly Ashe tied for third in the standings.
Competition continues tomorrow at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows with the $6,500 Open Jumper 1.35m before the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake, presented by Old Salem Farm, takes center stage at 1 p.m. For hunters, Amateur-Owners kick-off their divisions, and the spectator favorite $1,500 Canine Puissance shines the spotlight on a different four-legged competitor at 3 p.m.
Final Results: $5,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
1 HH CARLOS Z MCLAIN WARD DOUBLE H FARM 57.784
2 HH ELI CASH QUENTIN JUDGE DOUBLE H FARM 58.782
3 HUNTER ST ANNA Z KIRSTEN COE LOVSTA STUTERI 61.746
4 L'AMI NOIR SLOANE COLES THE WINDWOOD GROUP 63.101
5 ROBIN DE PONTHUA PETER LUTZ JOHN GALLAGHER 64.684
6 BAILEY VI SLOANE COLES JANICE ARON 65.376
7 ANACONDA D BEN ASSELIN ATTACHE STABLES 66.530
8 ZIPPO CG JUAN PABLO PIVARAL LUIS GARCIA 67.652
9 CECOTTO'S AS CHRIS KAPPLER JENNIFER ROWLAND 67.663
10 STAKORADO KATHERINE DINAN GRANT ROAD PARTNERS, LLC 68.972
11 GALAN S KATHERINE DINAN GRANT ROAD PARNTERS, LLC 71.496
12 TEMPTATION MICHAEL DESIDERIO SHARON MILCHOVICH 71.852
To enjoy what is still to come at The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, tickets can be purchased HERE. Live streaming of all events is also available Friday-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, presented by Old Salem Farm, on Friday, May 8, 1 pm
$15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by Miller Motorcars, on Saturday, May 9, 12 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Sunday, May 10, 1:30 pm
$50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 10, 2 pm
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Full horse show results can be found at www.horseshowsonline.com.
Photos by The Book, LLC
Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group in 2011-2014. Host of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.