North Salem, NY - Eighteen-year-old Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partner’s Nougat Du Vallet were the best of a stellar field as they took the win in the $25,000 New York Welcome Stake at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows taking place at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.

Forty-seven entries showed in this afternoon’s welcome stake over a course set by Alan Wade of Tipperary, Ireland. Twelve horse and rider combinations were able to clear the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and five finished the class double clear. Though riders chased the clock, it was Dinan and Nougat Du Vallet, who captured the win. The pair blazed through the course in 40.713 seconds to add this to their growing resume.

Dinan, New York, NY, was up against some tough competition in the jump-off, including her trainer, McLain Ward, but she is building a reputation as a thoughtful and speedy rider and her speed paid off.

Nougat Du Vallet is an eleven-year-old Selle Francais gelding that Dinan purchased last June. “We thought he would be great for me because he is a little on the small side and I am a little on the small side, so we are a good match.” Dinan smiled as she complimented her mount, “Nougat was fantastic.”

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.