North Salem, NY - The inaugural Equitation Challenge took place amid much anticipation and fanfare at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Fifteen year old Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, and Chansonette Farm’s Monterrey were the shining stars and galloped away with the top prize.

Style maven Martha Stewart looked on as the youngsters showed off their grace and ability. The Grand Prix field would take its toll on some exhibitors, with quite a few refusals on course, but those who navigated it did so with aplomb.

The class was contested over both man-made and natural obstacles, including water, ditches and a grob, and at a speed of 400 meters per minute. A starting field of 28 junior and young riders tried their hand in the first round, with the top twelve returning for a second round.

Keenan’s first round score of 93 set a standard that was going to be hard to beat barring a disaster. Her second round score of 90 cemented her lead. Samantha Schaefer was second with Pioneer, scoring 88 in the first round and 92 in the second round. Sydney Shulman and Eli were third scoring 90 and 89.

Trainer Andre Dignelli had a big day. The Equitation Challenge had a $5,000 Trainers Award attached to it. With his students placing first, second and fourth (Allison Toffolon), he received the lion’s share of the award money.

Keenan also rode Monterrey to victory in the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. With Keenan leading the way and second place going to Samantha Schaefer aboard Pioneer, Digneli was the trainer of the day. In fact, his students swept the top six places in the Talent Search.

Stephanie Riggio and her horses are a fixture at Old Salem and are quite familiar with the winners circle. Duplicating their results from last year, Riggio, New York, NY, and Compliment, her lovely bay Oldenburg, won the Amateur Adult 18-35 Hunter Championship. They were named Champions after winning every over fences class in the division, and placing second in the under saddle class. Their stellar performance in the division also earned them the title of Grand Champion Adult Amateur Hunter.

Little Tom and Patricia Hennessey, Kintnersville, PA, galloped away with the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Amateur Adult Jumper Classic. The seventeen year old Irish Sport Horse/Connemara cross proved that age is no indicator of ability as he ate up the course in 32.442 seconds for the win.

Nina Montross and Palm Meadow Farm’s Voigtsdorfs Ohio captured the blue ribbon in the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic. Montross, Bedford Hills, NY, turned in two clear rounds in a time of 35.192 seconds to best the competition. She almost managed both first and second place, but her second ride, Caprifol, had the time, 35.155, but had a rail down.

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows’ 30th annual competition runs May 8-20 featuring top-notch hunter-jumper competition at one of the country’s most beautiful equestrian training centers. Each week features over 130 hunter and jumper classes. Highlighting the two weeks of competition are four Grand Prix events, all of which count toward USEF rider rankings – the $25,000 New York Welcome Stake Grand Prix, the $25,000 North Salem Grand Prix Presented by Land Rover, the $40,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix and the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix sponsored by the Kincade Group.

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 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 four charities – ASPCA, JustWorldInternational, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, and the Voss Foundation.

Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, has played host to major equestrian 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.

All the action from all rings at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows can be found daily on shownetvision.com. In addition, the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on May 19 and the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix on May 20, will be broadcast free of charge over usefnetwork.com sponsored by Smartpak.

Further information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long horse show schedule, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, as well as the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows’ Prize List, is available on line at www.oldsalemfarm.net or by calling 914-669-5610.