North Salem, NY – May 11, 2011 - The 2011 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows kicked off their two week run, featuring many of the nation's best horses

and riders at one of the country's most beautiful equestrian training centers. Moshi, a 7 year-old Belgian Warmblood, kicked off the show with performances in the Conformation Hunter Division that were impossible to beat. The stunning bay gelding turned in five perfect trips to sweep the division for rider Holly Orlando and owner Stephanie Riggio, New York, NY. Not only did Moshi earn the title of Conformation Hunter Champion, but also was named Grand Hunter Champion.

A recent acquisition for Riggio, Moshi has cemented his place in the string of exceptional horses that Riggio has in her stable. Riggio plans to pilot the youngster herself in the near future, hoping that he will follow in the hoofprints of her other successful mounts, Breitling and Indian Summer, both of whom have been named Champions at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows over the years.

“He is such a blast to ride,” said Orlando, Wellington, FL. “I had seen him around and loved him and I actually got to ride him just for fun a few years ago. He is usually ridden by Sandy Farrell, but Sandy was going to another horse show so I got to be Sandy’s back-up. It is so nice to ride a horse of his quality. He really makes it easy.”

The horse show's "top dogs" will be showing their winning form on May 13 in the popular Old Salem Farm Canine Puissance class, co-sponsored by Purina. This canine extravaganza, which features dogs jumping in similar style to their equine counterparts, is a horse show favorite, and one not to be missed by any dog enthusiast!

Horse show grooms will also have their chance to be recognized during the $5,000 Grooms Class on May 20. This class is open to all the dedicated caregivers in the hunter and jumper divisions, and is sponsored by local barns to support the efforts of these terrific hardworking individuals.

The popular Old Salem Farm Ice Cream Party, sponsored by Staysail Farm, will be held each Saturday after competition finishes in the Grand Prix ring and is always a crowd pleaser!

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows benefit the Old Salem Farm Foundation. The goal of the Old Salem Farm Foundation is to use the Spring Horse Shows as a vehicle to help support charitable organizations and create an opportunity for Corporate Sponsors and Equestrian Athletes to benefit the community during the annual sporting event. The Old Salem Farm Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

This year, the Old Salem Farm Foundation is providing support to several charities including Voss Foundation, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, ASPCA and Just World International.

Voss Foundation is dedicated to providing access to pure, clean water to rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. At the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, Voss Foundation will present a gallery exhibit of limited edition photographs taken by world-renown photographer Stuart Franklin which will be on display in the Main Bar throughout the duration of the horse shows. The photographs will be available for purchase through a silent auction, and all proceeds will help support Voss Foundation's 2011 initiatives.

In addition, the Old Salem Farm Foundation will be supporting Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, whose mission is to provide the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding and other equine-assisted activities to physically, emotionally, and developmentally challenged individuals at facilities and stables in Connecticut and New York.

Also receiving support from the Old Salem Farm Foundation is JustWorld International, a charitable organization dedicated to providing basic education, nutrition, health and hygiene programs, and vocational training for children in impoverished communities in Honduras, Cambodia, Guatemala, Brazil, and Senegal. JustWorld International will conduct a horseless horse show in the Grand Prix Field following competition on Saturday, May 14. Jessica Newman, the founder of JustWorld and daughter of the late Paul Newman, a former owner of Old Salem Farm, will be back on the grounds to oversee the event where kids of various ages race and jump for awards over a course of miniature fences which simulate the courses jumped by their heroes, while helping less fortunate children around the world.

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are partnering with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to hold a special Animal Adoption Day on Saturday, May 14. The ASPCA's Mobile Adoption Van, full of loving dogs and cats available for adoption, will be on-site at the horse show on this day. If you have been thinking about adding a dog or cat to your family, then this is the perfect opportunity to meet with ASPCA experts and find the pet that is right for you!

Present at the ASPCA Mobile Adoption Van will be Joe Pentangelo, Assistant Director of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement and one of the stars of the hit TV show ANIMAL PRECINCT on the Animal Planet Network. Joe is on the front lines of fighting animal cruelty every day at the ASPCA, and invites visitors to talk with him to find out how they can help make the world a better place for animals. Also on site will be DaVinci, the ASPCA's Canine Anti-Cruelty Ambassador. DaVinci was a victim of terrible animal cruelty in 2006 and is now fully recovered and a living example of how all creatures deserve kindness, compassion and second chances. DaVinci would like to remind everyone to consider opening their home and their heart to an animal in need, whether it is a dog, cat or horse!

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer more than $220,000 in prize money and is highlighted by the $25,000 Welcome Stake on May 13, $40,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix on May 15, $25,000 North Salem Grand Prix on May 20, and the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by Land Rover, Mt. Kisco and Larchmont, on May 22. The shows also feature a $20,000 Speed Derby of North Salem on May 21, $15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, a member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame on May 22, $10,000 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby on May 21 and $10,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award, which will be announced on May 22.

Over the years, Old Salem Farm has played host to major competitions including Selection Trials for U.S. teams for World Championships and Olympic Games. Old Salem Farm boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, its historic pristine grass Grand Prix field as well as outstanding show and schooling rings, all surrounded by one of the nation’s most quaint and picturesque settings.

Old Salem Farm is located one hour north of New York City. In addition to hosting more than 20 horse shows besides its flagship spring horse shows, it maintains state-of-the-art stabling facilities for year-round boarding. Old Salem Farm’s training staff offers training for every level of riding from Short Stirrup to Grand Prix! Exceptional horses are also available for sale or lease.

Admission to the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows is $20.00 per carload on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Seating in the Patron Tent, which overlooks the Grand Prix field, is available Wednesday – Sunday, with a catered luncheon on Saturday and Grand Prix Sunday. For reservation information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.

For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long horse show schedule, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, as well as the Spring Horse Show Prize List, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.
For more information on Voss Foundation, please visit www.thevossfoundation.org.
For more information Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, please visit www.pegasustr.org.
For more information on JustWorld International, please visit www.justworldinternational.org.