Old Salem Farm, in New York's Westchester County, is a premier equestrian venue, offering state-of-the-art facilities, surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.
In fact, in 2010, the Old Salem Spring Show was voted one of the Top 25 Horse Shows in North America by NARG, the North American Rider's Group. The owners at Old Salem have spent over $30 million in renovations over the past few years to bring this venue on par with any show facility in the world.
"We're very excited that the American Gold Cup has finally found a permanent home at Old Salem Farm. It's a great facility, and one that's convenient to so many equestrians," said Stadium Jumping President, Michael Morrissey. "We think we've come up with a great schedule for the return of the Gold Cup and we're hoping for a top turnout of the nation's best equestrians. It should be a very exciting week of show jumping action."
The show will feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus Young Jumpers. A $25,000 Show Jumping Hall of Classic will take center stage on Saturday and the day will also include $10,000 NAL Classics for Children, Adults and Low Junior/Amateurs.
Highlight events for Open Jumpers include the $10,000 1.45m Speed class on Thursday, the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier on Friday, the $35,000 1.45m American Gold Cup Jumper Classic on Saturday and of course, Sunday's main event, the 42nd edition of the $200,000 American Gold Cup.
A pioneering show jumping classic, the American Gold Cup, was first held in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1970. Past winners include Olympians Michael Matz, Melanie Smith-Taylor, Leslie Howard, Conrad Homfeld, Joe Fargis, Peter Leone, Anne Kursinksi, Beezie Madden, Chris Kappler, Mario Deslauriers, Norman Dello Joio and 2011 Pan American Games Individual Gold Medalist Christine McCrea. In its formative years, the legendary "Red Rider," Rodney Jenkins was a five-time winner of the American Gold Cup with Idle Dice, Balbucco and The Natural.
This year's event in September will be much more than an equestrian competition, but rather a family destination, offering the non-equestrian enthusiast a children's fair, a petting zoo, live musical entertainment and a trade fair. The famous Just World International Horseless Horse Show, always an exciting attraction for children attending the event, will also be held.