Louise Serio and El Primero (The Book LLC)

North Salem, N.Y. – Louise Serio of Kennett Square, PA, piloted El Primero to top call in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, on Saturday at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Highlighting competition on the Grand Prix Field, Lucy Deslauriers (USA) and Lisa Deslauriers' Hester captured the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development.

Serio and El Primero, owned by Bryan Baldwin and Meralex Farm, were the ones to beat in the first round of derby competition. They bested a field of 28 with a total score of 183.5 before returning with the top 12 for a handy round built by course designer Kevin Giblin of Spring Lake, NJ. El Primero, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Numero Uno, bested his own first-round score over the second-round handy track, scoring a 189.5 for a two-round total of 373 and the win for Serio.

Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, CT, combined scores of 177 and an impressive 195 aboard Cosmeo for DK-USA Sporthorse, LLC to finish with a 372 and second overall. Sloane Coles of The Plains, VA, boasted the highest score of the day with a 198 over the handy course in the irons of Nilani Trent's Autumn Rhythm, which combined with her 171 from the first round for third on a 369. Jimmy Torano of Wellington, FL, and Palm Meadow Farm, LLC's Walk About took fourth with a final score of 358, and Kelly Tropin of New Canaan, CT, capped the top five on a total score of 356 with Chablis for Libertas Farm, LLC.

Originally the ride of Sandy Ferrell, El Primero was imported from Stal Hendrix in the Netherlands and got his start in the hunter ring in January of 2015. After an injury sidelined Ferrell from the show ring during the 2016 winter season, Serio took over the reins on the horse known as “Primo” around the barn.

“He’s a dream to ride,” said Serio. “He’s really responsive; he can lengthen and shorten his stride easily. He’s one of the most adjustable horses I’ve ever ridden and so light in his mouth. He's a lovely ride.”

After impressing at the 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships with Ferrell in the tack, El Primero has proved that he has the scope to turn heads in the hunter ring. But, according to Serio, he also has the rideability and style to complete the package.

“He was really good today,” she said. “The courses definitely had some questions in them. It walked different than it rode, which was interesting, but I like it when they challenge us a little bit. We’re going to Devon, so we had perfect pre-Devon courses.”

Serio continued, “The judges said they wanted to see good jumping; they weren’t particularly interested in the strides.”

Good jumping is exactly what she delivered to cap a successful two weeks at Old Salem Farm for Derbydown.

“I have to tell you, I haven’t had this good of a horse show in years,” she said with a smile. “My horses have gone beautiful, and my students have done well. It’s been an amazing two weeks.”

A familiar face at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, Serio always looks forward to kicking off her spring season in North Salem, NY. She said, “I like the rings, the footing is really nice, and I really like this area. And to top it off, we were blessed with good weather this year.”

Lucy Deslauriers and Hester Win $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development

Lucy Deslauriers (USA) and Hester were the fastest double-clear pair by a margin of five seconds to win the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development. They conquered courses built by Alan Wade (IRL) with a blistering jump-off time of 34.759 seconds.

Danielle Menker (USA) and Emily Wygod's Beluga took second in 39.749 seconds, while Katherine Strauss (USA) and her own All In were third with four faults and a time of 36.262 seconds. Anna Cardelfe (USA) and her own Dollar Van T Eigenlo DH took fourth on a four-fault jump-off round in 38.202 seconds, and Stephen Moore (IRL) piloted Team de Coquerie to fifth on four faults in 39.295 seconds for Vlock Show Stables.

Deslauriers is a regular competitor in Under 25 competition and was eager to be part of the first-ever event for young jumper riders at Old Salem Farm.

“It’s true that it really bridges the gap between the junior jumpers and the grand prix ranks, in not only the height, but the difficulty,” she said. “All of that combined to make a great in-between [division] for [those riders] wanting to eventually move up to the grand prix.

“I thought it was a nice course; it was pretty inviting,” continued Deslauriers. “There was a water element and I haven’t jumped water out here yet, so that was a nice addition. The triple came at the end of the course, which got a few horses thinking they were done. All around, there were different tasks and questions to keep in mind.”

Hester and Deslauriers have been partners in the jumper ring for several years and have collected many top placings. Their plans currently include moving up over the summer into the 1.50m ranks.

“He’s really an incredible partner, and I’m so lucky that I get to ride him,” said Deslauriers. “He’s really the greatest combination of attributes that you would want in a partner. Going into today, I felt very good about our partnership and I knew in the jump-off that I could really push the pace and he would give it his all, and he did.”

Thanks to a generous sponsorship from T & R Development, co-founded by Teddy Vlock and Rob Gray with an aim to provide a higher level and standard of barns for horses and riders in Wellington, FL, The Under 25 division made its debut at Old Salem Farm this year.

“I think the U25 is so important because it’s developing the young riders that are the future of our sport,” said Vlock, “especially for the young professionals trying to compete against each other. It gives you a little more space to develop.”

Earlier in the day on the Grand Prix Field, Mattias Tromp (USA) of North Salem, NY, raced to a victory in the $35,000 Speed Derby of North Salem aboard KM Whatever RV for Beyaert Farm, Inc. McLain Ward (USA) was second with his own Qantor des Etissses, and last week's winner, Penny Brennon (GBR) claimed third with her own Sun Tzu.

In their fourth-ever speed derby together, Tromp and KM Whatever RV were the only ones to finish the faults-converted class without rails to stop the clock in 79.99 seconds. Ward was fast in 74.38 seconds, but two poles landed him with a final time of 82.38 seconds. Brennan stopped the clock in 78.47 seconds, but downed one rail to finish on 82.47 seconds.

“He’s so fast,” said Tromp of KM Whatever RV. “As soon as you push your hands forward, he wants to fill the bridle. He’s electric careful; you can just run at the fences. The horse gives you such a good feeling off the ground because he’s so careful and really attentive to the jumps. It’s cool when you feel your horse looking for the next jump with you.”

While Tromp took home the blue ribbon, he'll be meeting with Ward Saturday night after a wager on the fastest time before faults left him footing the dinner bill.

Old Salem Farm will host the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday at 2 pm to highlight competition on the Grand Prix field, while Grand Pony, Children's, and Junior Hunter Champions will be crowned in the hunter rings. Meanwhile, family activities, including face painting and pony rides by Pied Piper, will begin at 11 am. In addition, the ASPCA will host a pet adoption day at Old Salem Farm from 12:30-4:30 pm.

Final Results: $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family
1 EL PRIMERO Louise Serio Brian Baldwin/Meralex Farm
R1: 89 + 4, 86.5 + 4
R2: 84.5 + 4 + 7, 82 + 4 + 8
183.5 + 189.5 = 373
2 COSMEO Sydney Shulman Dk-Usa Sporthorse LLC
R1: 84 + 4, 85 + 4
R2: 85.5 + 4 + 7, 86.5 + 4 + 8
177 + 195 = 372
3 AUTUMN RHYTHM Sloane Coles Nilani Trent
R1: 83 + 2, 84 + 2
R2: 87 + 2 + 8, 90 + 2 + 9
171 + 198 = 369
4 WALK ABOUT Jimmy Torano Palm Meadow Farm LLC
R1: 80 + 4, 75 + 4
R2: 85+ 4 + 9, 84 + 4 + 9
163 + 195 = 358
5 CHABLIS Kelly Tropin Libertas Farm LLC
R1: 83.5 + 0, 84.5+ 0
R2: 88 + 0 + 5, 88 + 0 + 7
168 + 188 = 356
6 SKOREKEEPER Callie Seaman Callie Seaman
R1: 85 + 0, 82+ 0
R2: 86 + 0 + 7, 86 + 0 + 7
167 + 186 = 353
7 SI BENE Louise Serio Findlay's Ridge Group
R1: 79 + 2, 86 + 2
R2: 78 + 2 + 6, 86+ 2 + 7
169 + 181 = 350
8 CZAR-Z McKayla Langmeier Linda Langmeier
R1: 87 + 0, 87 + 0
R2: 77 + 0 + 5, 87 + 0 + 7
174 + 176 = 350
9 LOXLEY Amanda Steege Finale Partners LLC
R1: 82 + 4, 78+ 4
R2: 80 + 4 + 4, 78 + 4 + 6
168 +176 = 344
10 OVERJOYED Jennifer Bauersachs Courtney Carey
R1: 78 + 0, 79 + 0
R2: 84 + 0 + 7, 77 + 0 + 8
157 + 176 = 333
11 MAITRE D' Amanda Steege Wendy Salomon
R1: 86.5 + 0, 89 + 0
R2: 50 + 2 + 6, 45 + 2 + 6
175.5 + 111 = 286.5
12 CLOVER Victoria Press Sail Horse Investments
R1: 72 + 0, 83 + 0
R2: EL
155 + EL = 155

Final Results: $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development
1 HESTER: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor van de Mispelaere x Palestro
Lucy Deslauriers (USA), Lisa Deslauriers: 0/0/34.759
2 BELUGA: 2006 Dutch Warmblood mare by Cardento
Danielle Menker (USA), Emily Wygod: 0/0/39.749
3 ALL IN: 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Aachen x Indoctro
Katherine Strauss (USA), Katherine Strauss: 0/4/36.262
4 DOLLAR VAN T EIGENLO DH: 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker x Nabab de Reve
Anna Cardelfe (USA), Anna Cardelfe: 0/4/38.202
5 TEAM DE COQUERIE: 2007 Selle Francais gelding by Heartbreaker x Papillon Rogue
Stephen Moore (IRL), Vlock Show Stables, LLC: 0/4/39.295
6 CASPER: 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Robin Z
Ailish Cunniffe (USA), Whipstick Farm: 0/4/49.010
7 HECTOR V.D. PAPENDIJK: 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor van de Mispelaere x Rabiat Z
Juan Salgado (MEX), Alejandro Zendejas: 4/79.258
8 MAN IN BLACK: 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Gentleman x Calvados
Andre Mershad (USA), Mershad Stables, LLC: 4/79.279
9 WRIGLEY: 2003 Dutch Warmblood mare by Padinus x Burggraaf
Madison Goetzmann (USA), Madison Goetzmann: 4/80.686
T10 VENICE: 2005 Swedish Warmblood mare by Cardento x Stanford
Sydney Shulman (USA), Jill Shulman: 4/81.017
T10 TRIOMPHE Z: 2007 Zangersheide gelding by Triomphe de Muze x Celano
Mattias Tromp (USA), Beyaert Farm, Inc.: 4/81.017
12 CLASSIC CARE: 2003 Holsteiner mare by Caretino x Accord II
McKayla Langmeier (USA), Linda Langmeier: 4/82.714

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer more than $500,000 in divisions ranging from ponies and equitation to Under 25 and top FEI competition. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday during the Spring Horse Shows. On the weekend of May 21-22, which features the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 22, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12. To purchase tickets for all show jumping events at the Spring Horse Shows, CLICK HERE.

Stay on top of all things Old Salem Farm this spring with all-day live streaming of the Grand Prix Field Friday through Sunday at www.oldsalemfarm.net.