North Salem, NY – September 11, 2013 – The 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W returned to the picturesque Old Salem Farm today to kick-off the week-long international jumping competition featuring the world’s top athletes. Thanks to phenomenal reviews from 2012, a large number of entries created a section split for the day’s main event on the Grand Prix Field: the $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Open Jumper class. During the first section, it was Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Solerina who bested Todd Minikus and Uraguay by three seconds at the end of the class with a quick and clear jump-off. Allison Robatille made a splash in Section B, competing in her first jump-off class since November with her veteran mount Cover Girl, who was just returning from injury, beating Meagan Nusz and Elias by a full second in the tiebreaker.
Shane Sweetnam and Solerina
Photo by The Book LLC 2013
Ireland’s Alan Wade designed two tracks for the day’s feature class, each winding throughout the large field and including multiple bending lines as well a vertical-oxer double combination, and an oxer-vertical double combination. With over 40 competitors in each class, it came down to speed and accuracy in the jump-off. Fifteen horses showed over the short course in the first section, which began at the far end of the field and used the oxer-vertical double combination, as well as multiple places to slice fences and finished over an oxer towards the gate.
Todd Minikus was only the fourth athlete to compete aboard Uraguay, owned by Legacy Stables of Princeton, NJ, but he set the target early in the class. After a faultless round, they managed to mimic the clear effort during the jump-off, making inside turns and breaking the beam at 32.773 seconds.
Todd Minikus and Uraguay
Photo by The Book LLC 2013
Ten rounds later, Sarah Segal made a bid for the win with Ubris, owned by Chartwell of Flemington, NJ. Although they managed to leave all the fences in tact and leave a stride out to the last fence, their time of 34.273 fell just shy of the leader and they took home fourth place. Meagan Nusz of Houston, TX, was right on Segal’s heels, piloting Waomi to a clear time of 34.763 for the fifth place honors.
Roberto Teran missed Minikus’ time by just 2/10ths of a second riding Woklahoma for the Ark Partners of Wellington, FL. They also posted a clear round, but crossed the finish in line in 32.992 seconds for the third place award.
Shane Sweetnam was one of the final competitors to show in the first section, but his experienced mount Solerina was ready to win. They had a strong gallop to the first three fences, only steadying for the double combination before slicing the final vertical and leaving a stride out to the last oxer. The duo blazed across the finish line in 29.770 seconds, jumping straight to the top of the leader board and leading the victory gallop.
“I think I was quick enough from one, two and three and then I took a little time to the double,” explained Sweetnam. “Then I just let go and went across to the second to last and I knew if I got a good shot there, that I’d have a chance to do the one less to the last. She’s got quite a big stride and she doesn’t spend too much time in the air. In the second round I know she can be quick enough to be lucky enough to keep all the jumps up.”
Owned by Spy Coast Farm and Sweet Oak Farm, Solerina is a 14-year-old Irish Sporthorse mare by Cruising that Sweetnam began riding last year. After winning the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, Solerina used a month of working at home to come out fresh and ready for a victory.
“I think since I’ve had her she nearly picks up a win in every class, so her results are phenomenal,” smiled Sweetnam. “She’s got a little bit of character, but her results make up for it. She’ll do two of the four indoors next. Last year she had a good indoors and I know her better this year, so I think she’ll have a good one again this year.”
Sweetnam was happy to return to the 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W noting, “Michael Morrissey and the staff do a great job here. It gets better every year. It’s great money and the footing looks to be so much better this year. They’re trying to upgrade it and make it a really good four-star show. I appreciate it and all the other riders appreciate it.”
In the second section of the $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Open Jumper, fourteen horses advanced to the short course. This time the jump-off was held opposite of the in-gate, beginning with a sharp rollback from a single vertical to a single oxer, and finishing with a double combination to a final wide-oxer.
Only five athletes posted double clear efforts, the first coming from Lauren Tisbo of Wellington, FL, and Darconscheefkasteel Z. The pair stopped the timers at 31.227, which would be good enough for fourth place. Judy Garaofalo Torres of Wellington, FL, and Quattro Queen were the slowest of the double clears for fifth place.
Megan Nusz scored another top placing for Amalaya Investments, this time piloting Elias to a clear round in 31.084 seconds, which captured the second place honors. Hillary Simpson was just a fraction away from Nusz’s time with Chinwies BZ, owned by Palmyra Partners LLC of Southern Pines, NC. Their faultless round clocked in at 31.149 seconds for third place.
Allison Robatille and Cover Girl produced the fast clear jump-off. Despite today’s class marking Cover Girl’s first jump-off after sustaining an injury in November, the mare proved that she was in top form. Utalizing her mare’s large stride, Robatille picked up a quick pace to first fence, slicing the rollback, and then quickly making it towards the next two fences.
Allison Robatille and Cover Girl
Photo by Rebecca Walton
“Cover Girl is an amazing horse,” expressed Robatille. “She got injured last November after winning the Nations Cup in Buenos Aires. I’ve been slowly bringing her back. I showed her at Spruce Meadows and she did 1.10m and 1.20m, and did her first 1.45m class at the Hampton Classic. This was the first time I felt like she was ready to do two rounds in a row.”
Robatille continued, “Now that she is back jumping, I have needed to make myself put the injury behind us and just ride her like I normally would, so I am not being too cautious and too careful. I love her so much, so it’s hard.”
This is Robatille’s first return to Old Salem Farm since her days in the Junior Hunters, but after hearing rave reviews from last year’s event she was excited to show at the international jumping competition. “It’s beautiful,” she commented. “I heard great things last year and I am really impressed.”
In the $2,500 1.35m Open Jumpers held in the Jumper Ring, winning honors were presented to Roberto Teran and ADC Chef, owned by Richview Farm of Nobleton, Ontario. The duo completed a clear short course in 34.156 seconds, while Charlie Jayne and Speedy Chicolina, owned by Anna Murphy of De Pere, WI, clocked in at 35425 seconds for the second place award. Candice King and VDL Dogan picked up the third place honors, leaving all the fences intact and breaking the bream at 36,499 seconds for owner Bellissimo LLC of Wellington, FL.
Roberto Teran and ADC Chef Photo by The Book LLC 2013
The first class of the day was the $2,000 1.30m Open Jumpers with 69 entries. Kent Farrington came out on top, piloting Monopoly to the winning honors for Salamander Farms of The Plains, VA. The pair’s clear effort broke the beam at 32.439 seconds, while Guillermo Williams’ time of 33.322 seconds with Marbella, owned by El Milagro of Dallas, TX, was good enough for second. Paul Halpern and Royal Flush, owned by Kathleen Kamine of Oldwick, NJ, rounded out the top three, completing a spotless jump-off in 34.523 seconds.
Kent Farrington and Monopoly
Photo by The Book LLC 2013
The 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W will continue tomorrow with the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake, as well as the $3,000 High Junior/Amatur-Owner Jumpers, presented by Gotham North. Highlight throughout the week include Friday’s $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier, presented by Double H Farm & Windsor Show Stables, the $50,000 Hermès Classic and Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships on Saturday, and Sunday’s $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W World Cup Qualifier, presented by Suncast.
For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com and http://www.theamericangoldcup.com/
About the American Gold Cup
The American Gold Cup will feature world-class and Olympic athletes, such as current World Cup Show Jumping Champion Beezie Madden and Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. Also confirmed to compete are show jumping mega-stars Kent Farrington, Margie Engle, Pan American Games Gold Medalist Christine McCrea and many more, all vying to secure their position at the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals in Lyon, France.
Highlights of the schedule include the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake on Thursday, the $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier presented by Double H Farm and Windsor Show Stables on Friday and the $50,000 Hermes Classic on Saturday. The featured event, the coveted $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013
and broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. EST.
The American Gold Cup will also feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus Young Jumpers and Open Jumpers. New this year, the Zone 2 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships will be held on Saturday in the Old Salem Farm indoor arena.
Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, an historic pristine grass Grand Prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world’s most quaint and picturesque competition venue settings. For the past two years, the Old Salem Farm competitions have been recognized by the North American Riders Group (NARG) on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.
For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com and http://www.theamericangoldcup.com/.
Results
Class 10 A $8,000 DANBURY PORSCHE AUDI 1.40
1 148 SOLERINA SHANE SWEETNAM 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 29.770
2 116 URAGUAY TODD MINIKUS 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 32.773
3 397 WOKLAHOMA ROBERTO TERAN 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 32.992
4 1 UBRIS SARAH SEGAL 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.273
5 323 WAOMI MEAGAN NUSZ 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.763
6 366 BRUGAL VDL JONATHAN MCCREA 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 35.138
7 326 CAMBITO PAIGE JOHNSON 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.168
8 181 CORONA 93 LAUREN TISBO 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.690
9 681 WIN FOR LIFE 111 Z CHRISTINE MCCREA 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 37.207
10 508 SCOUT DE LA CENSE MARIO DESLAURIERS 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 38.240
11 648 WILLOW KENT FARRINGTON 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 41.781
12 178 ROUNDTHORN MADIOS LAUREN TISBO 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 33.714
Class 105B, $8,000 DANBURY PORSCHE AUDI 1.40
1 473 COVER GIRL 27 ALISON ROBITAILLE 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 29.949
2 324 ELIAS MEAGAN NUSZ 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 31.084
3 101 CHINWIES BZ HILLARY SIMPSON 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 31.149
4 179 DARCONSCHEEFKASTEEL Z LAUREN TISBO 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 31.227
5 645 QUATTRO QUEEN JUDY GAROFALO TORRES 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 32.904
6 2 RAMSES SARAH SEGAL 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 29.730
7 96 CZARDAS 30 ILAN FERDER 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 30.358
8 443 TOP GUN IV DARRAGH KENNY 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 30.803
9 583 WAYFARER PETER LEONE 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 32.017
10 192 SPEEDY CHICOLINA CHARLIE JAYNE 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 33.601
11 44 UATA BRIANNE GOUTAL 0 0 0 0.000 8 0 8 29.722
12 79 HARLEY 86 BENJAMIN MEREDITH 0 0 0 0.000 8 0 8 32.175
Class 107, $2500 1.35 TIME FIRST JUMP-OFF 2(b)
1 399 ADC CHEF ROBERTO TERAN 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.156
2 192 SPEEDY CHICOLINA CHARLIE JAYNE 0 0 0 69.700 0 0 0 35.425
3 35 VDL DOGAN CANDICE KING 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.499
4 410 Z EMPRESS NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.722
5 153 BALDEV SHANE SWEETNAM 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 37.953
6 286 O’ VOL DE LA ROQUE SAMANTHA RAMSAY 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 40.710
7 281 FLAMINGO K RICHIE MOLONEY 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 34.841
8 114 ROMEO TODD MINIKUS 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 36.086
9 596 VANTINA HPF LINDA SHERIDAN 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 36.619
10 34 COMBINA CANDICE KING 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 38.318
11 638 CASALLO 4 QUENTIN JUDGE 0 0 0 72.000 8 22 30 63.400
12 293 LINCOURT GINO MOLLY ASHE-CAWLEY 0 0 0 65.000 Withdr
Class 109, $2000 1.30 TIME FIRST JUMP-OFF 2(b)
1 328 MONOPOLY KENT FARRINGTON 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 32.439
2 18 MARBELLA GUILLERMO WILLIAMS 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 33.322
3 73 ROYAL FLUSH PAUL HALPERN 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.523
4 190 CHELLANDO Z JENNIFER GRIFFITHS 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.546
5 586 ALIAS PETER LEONE 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 35.311
6 189 CAPACITY JENNIFER GRIFFITHS 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 35.448
7 410 Z EMPRESS NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 35.738
8 307 CLEARFOX AS WELL JEFFERY WELLES 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 35.913
9 624 WYSTERIA KYLE TIMM 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.159
10 514 ZUBANTOS BLAIR WILLMER 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.213
11 368 CLASS ACT LINDA LANGMEIER 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.283
12 32 VDL MALEKLOU CANDICE KING 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 36.556
43rd Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts
What: The $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W
When: September 11-15, 2013
Where: Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon
Sunday: Gates open at 11 a.m. with family activities with the The $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W at 2 p.m.
Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.
Parking:
Available on the grounds
Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take Interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.
Information:
Before Show – before 9/6/13 (941) 744-5465, (800) 237-8924
During Show – (914) 669-5610 ext 201
Stable Office – (941) 744-5465
Prize List Advertising – (941) 744-5465
Trade Fair – Matt Morrissey (941) 915-3457
Website – http://www.theamericangoldcup.com/
Results:
Results are available at www.ShowNet.biz.
Coverage of American Gold Cup will be provided by ShowNet to the USEF Network at: http://usefnetwork.com/.
Televised Broadcast: The 2013 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Tickets:
Weekdays: Admission is free to the public
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $15 per person, $10 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.
Gates open at:
Wednesday – Saturday: 8 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.
Tickets are available at the gate and online at www.theamericangoldcup.com
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club offers full service gourmet cuisine and beverages for tables of six and eight. Click here to reserve your Jockey Club table. New this year, The American Gold Cup is adding luxury suites for parties of 10 or more on the second floor of the Jockey Club. For more information and to reserve your American Gold Cup luxury suite, contact Matt Morrissey at: matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com.
Charity Partners:
JustWorld International
http://www.justworldinternational.org/
ASPCA
http://www.aspca.org/
Sponsorship Opportunities:
April Wehle
561.459.9259
aprilw@stadiumjumping.com
Connie Sawyer
518.461.6288
sawyer.equestrianevents@gmail.com
Advertising Opportunities:
Mary Silcox 800-237-8924
mary.silcox@stadiumjumping.com
Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350’x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200’x250′, Schooling 130’x170′. Jumper Annex 146’x307′, Schooling 155’x173′. Indoor 115’x195′, Schooling 74’x135′. Hunter 138’x243′, Schooling 108’x158′. Footing in all arenas is all- weather German-designed fiber and sand.
Hotels:
Official Hotel of the American Gold Cup
Danbury Crown Plaza
http://danburyplaza-px.trvlclick.com/
(877) 270 1393
Ridgefield, CT
West Lane Inn (203) 438-7323
Brewster, NY 5-10 min
Heidi’s Motel (845) 279-8011
Mt. Kisco, NY 5-10 min
Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600
Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds
Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000
Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800
Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600
Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776
Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333
Residence Inn (203) 797-1256
Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: (941) 744-5465 Fax: (941) 744-0874
Sponsors:
Suncast
http://storage.suncast.com/
Danbury Porsche
http://danbury.porschedealer.com
Danbury Audi
http://www.danburyaudi.com/
Hermes
http://usa.hermes.com/
Double H
http://www.doublehfarm.org/
Windsor Show Stables
http://www.windsorshowstables.com/
Mitchell Innes & Nash Fine Art
http://www.miandn.com/
Purina Animal Nutrition
http://horse.purinamills.com/
Don Little Memorial
Jeffrey Terreson Fine Art
http://www.jterreson.com/
Roberto Coin
http://us.robertocoin.com/
Ariat
http://www.ariat.com/
THIS
http://www.taylorharris.com/
Devoucoux
http://www.devoucoux.com/devoucoux_fr/contenu/us/index.php
Skiffingtons LLC
Dyer Equestrian
http://dyerequestrian.com/
Samshield
http://www.samshield.com/
Stronghold Equine
http://strongholdequineequipment.com/
Animo
http://theanimoexperience.com/
Der Dau
http://www.derdau.com/
Trelawney Farm
http://www.trelawnyfarm.com/
Aden Brook
http://www.adenbrook.com/hay/
The Dutta Corporation
http://timdutta.com/
Coca-Cola
http://us.coca-cola.com/
Farm Vet
http://www.farmvet.com/
Houlihan Lawrenece
http://www.houlihanlawrence.com/
ESI Footing
http://www.equestrianservicesinternational.com/esi/
DJ Johnson
http://www.johnsonhorsetransportation.com/
GiGi New York
http://www.giginewyork.com/
Media Sponsors:
Equestrian Quarterly
Morris Media Group
Horse & Style Magazine
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561.753.3389 Fax: 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com
