North Salem, NY -  Katie Dinan, of New York, NY, and her mount Vancouver, bested a field of 36 to win the $25,000 New York Welcome Stake at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, held on the stunning Grand Prix field at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.

Dinan, 17, and the 13-year-old New Zealand Warmblood/Thoroughbred gelding, owned by Grant Road Partners LLC, were the 30th pair to enter the ring. Dinan had the advantage of already turning in a clear round with her first mount, Amoroso, and watching other riders, including eight Olympic and World Cup veterans, navigate the course. Dinan and Vancouver turned in a clear effort on Vancouver to place two horses in the jump off to join the 10 other horse and rider combinations who would contest the course and the clock in the jump off.

Going into the ring last for their jump off round, Dinan knew what she had to do. She had already managed to turn in double clear rounds on Amoroso in a time of 42.683 and was looking to better that time. Dinan piloted the big bay around the field in a time of 39.445 seconds with no faults, taking the lead and the win away from Brianne Goutal, New York, NY, and the speedy Mon Gamin, who had to settle for second place, by almost two seconds. In addition to her win, Dinan placed fifth with Amoroso.

Dinan has been a fixture in the horse show ring for most of her life, starting to ride at the age of four and beginning her competitive career at seven. She now competes regularly in the Grand Prix ring with her string of horses, and recently returned from Lipzig, Germany where she competed at the European Youngster Cup Finals with Vancouver.

Kate Levy and her Starlight finished the afternoon in third place, fault free in the jump off and stopping the clock in 42.282 seconds. Candice King and Skara Glen’s Davos finished in fourth place.

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, will be 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 $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.