North Salem, NY - Fifteen year-old Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, and Kid Rock, the first pair in the ring, took the lead in the $10,000 USHJA Hunter Derby at the Old Salem Spring Horse Show, and never relinquished custody. Keenan scored a 187 for the first round and a 201 for the second round for a total score of 388 points.
Kid Rock, owned by Lexi Maounis, a 10 year-old grey Warmblood gelding, stands just 15.3 hands, but has the ability and the style to jump the big fences. He has proved this over the years, winning many hunter titles.
Keenan also took home the second place ribbon, as she guided Chansonette Farm’s Monterrey, the last horse in the order, around the course for a total score of 380 points. Third place went to Charleston Z and Victoria Press with a combined score of 368.5 points.
Patricia Griffith, Katonah, NY, won the $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award. This award is given to the rider who earns the most points in the Pre-Green, Green, Conformation, High Performance 3’3”and High Performance 3’6” Hunter classes during the two weeks of the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows. Griffith amassed a total of 171.5 points with mounts such as Sutherland, Lourdanos, Grid Iron and Akinda. Second place went to Amanda Steege, Far Hills, NJ, with 117.5 points and Jennifer Bauersachs, Frenchtown, NJ, was third with 117 points.
The $20,000 Speed Derby of North Salem went to Irishman Darragh Kerins and Hot Wheels. The pair navigated the course in 88.079 seconds. Lincourt Gino and Peter Leone, Greenwich, CT, placed second in 92.206, attesting to the speed exhibited by Hot Wheels.
The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and its Mobile Adoption Center were at the show, bringing shelter animals and potential adoptive families together, with many of the shelter dogs finding homes. In addition, ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassador Georgina Bloomberg signed copies of her newest book, My Favorite Mistake, with proceeds benefiting the ASPCA Equine Fund, a lifeline for at-risk horses. The day was capped off with the “Spring Frolic for Horses” Cocktail Party, featuring celebrity bartenders including top riders Georgina Bloomberg and Beezie Madden; world class trainer John Madden; and Lorenzo Borghese from ABC’s “The Bachelor.”
The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows’ 30th annual competition runs through Sunday, May 20 featuring top-notch hunter-jumper competition at one of the country’s most beautiful equestrian training centers. The show culminates with the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix sponsored by the Kincade Group on Sunday.
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 $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix on May 20, will be broadcast free of charge over usefnetwork.com sponsored by Smartpak.
Further information on the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows is available on line at www.oldsalemfarm.net or by calling 914-669-5610.