Stephanie Riggio, New York, NY, and her amazing string of mounts won top titles in every division they contested. Moshi, Riggio’s newest, was named Champion in the Conformation Hunter Division and eventually Grand Hunter Champion as their perfect record of five wins in five classes dominated for the second week in a row. Moshi’s perfect record gave his rider, Holly Orlando, the title of Leading Hunter Rider.
Riggio rode Compliment to victory in the Amateur Adult Hunters 18-35 division for the second week. And this week added another mount, Saline, to the mix. Saline was not able to best his stablemate, but brought home ribbons in the same division.
“I usually go through Ralph Caristo, my trainer Karen’s dad,” said Riggio about how she finds all her wonderful mounts. “He found Moshi and Compliment, and Saline I found myself. I had a bit of a crush on her for a few years when I would watch Charlie Weaver and Stormy Goode show her. When I was looking for another Amateur horse we approached them. Finding my horses has always been a team effort. I like my horses big and pretty. I like them pretty classic hunter type. I usually go for the bigger warmbloods, but I do have a Thoroughbred that I show. There is definitely an elegance to the horses that I look for, a little more delicate, a woman’s horse.
“Until last week I had never been champion on Compliment. It has kind of been a long haul with him. I have had him for five years and between learning to ride him and some injuries on both his and my part we have never had a full season with him. Wellington this year was the first time I got to show him on a regular basis and I really got to learn and make mistakes. I got to figure him out and he got to figure me out. We did well, but we never got the tri-color. Last week was the first time we were ever champion, and I won my first Classic. I have never won a Classic before. I had never gotten to lead a victory gallop in all my years of showing.
“We are taking a bit of time off after this,” said Riggio. I am going to Kenya next week, I am so excited. I may do a bit of riding there too, maybe a horseback safari. We like to take it easy in the summer. I have been showing at this level throughout school, and I have a Masters Degree, so it has been a long time. I start a teaching job in the fall, I am a true amateur, I might get to ride a bit more than some people, but I definitely have to work my riding around my life.
Riggio was full of praise for the venue that brought her so much success. “The footing was even better today than it was yesterday, even though we had more rain last night. They are doing a great job; it is such a pleasure to show here.”
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.
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer more than $220,000 in prize money and is highlighted by the $25,000 North Salem Grand Prix on May 20, which will be held on the all weather footing in the Jumper Annex Ring, 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.