McLain Ward Heads List of Winners at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows

Horse Show is the Biggest Winner With Rave Reviews Across the Board  North Salem, NY—May 22, 2012— Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, made his long-anticipated return from a three-month layoff and showed that he hasn’t lost a thing as he swept both featured Grand Prix at the 2012 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. As impressive as Ward was in his two Grand Prix wins, it was Old Salem Farm itself that seemed to make the biggest impression. “These horse shows were phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal,” said Grand Prix rider Jimmy Torano, a member of the Board of the North American Riders’ Group (NARG).  “The field, the footing, the hospitality — everything!  I think it’ll be in our top 10 and there’s one thing I can tell you for sure — you will absolutely see me back here next year!” McLain Ward and Antares The horse shows attracted a star-studded line-up that included Olympic riders such as Ward, Beezie Madden, Chris Kappler, Nona Garson, Leslie Howard, Anne Kursinski, Peter Leone and Mario Deslauriers.  It also featured internally-respected course designers like Alan Wade of Ireland and Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela who had great words or praise for Old Salem’s huge, grass Grand Prix Field. “It was a privilege for me to design courses in a ring like this,” the Olympic course designer said.  “The footing was perfect and the terrain gave me the chance to design courses that allow horses to be horses!” McLain Ward and Zander at the awards presentation.   In the ring, Ward announced loud and clear that he is back, riding to the win in the first week’s $40,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix on Grant Road Partners’ Antares F and then electrifying a packed crowd on Grant Road Partners’ Zander to capture the top prize in the second week’s $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix Sponsored by the Kincade Group.
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Volvo Bromont Three Day Event Attracts Olympic Contenders

Bromont, Quebec – The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, held June 7 to 10 in Bromont, Quebec, will be the final North American outing for athletes hoping to earn a spot at the 2012 Olympic Games this summer. Clark Montgomery of the United States riding Loughan Glen is the defending champion of the CCI*** division of the VOLVO Bromont CCI*** Three Day Event to be held June 7 to 10, 2012, in Bromont, Quebec. (Photo by Cealy Tetley) The 26th edition of the Volvo CCI*** Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, will be used as a final preparatory event forU.S.and Canadian Olympic Team hopefuls.  BothU.S.and Canadian Team selectors will be in attendance, watching the competition closely before making their final selections for the 2012 Olympic Games inLondon. Having won Team Silver medals at both the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the 2011 Pan American Games, Canadian Eventing Team selectors will be looking for the best candidates to carryCanada’s medal hopes intoLondon. Appropriately, the Volvo CCI*** Bromont Three Day Event is held at the picturesque Bromont Olympic Horse Park, site of equestrian events for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and candidate for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.  Course designer Derek Di Grazia of the United States, who has been the resident course designer since 2009, will design the challenging cross-country tracks while Canada’s own Jay Hambly will build the obstacles. At the request of the Canadian and U.S
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Back in the Saddle

This week was another exciting one for Palermo and I.   Finally, after almost months, I was given the ‘O.K.’ to get back on Palermo
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Juniors’ Reign at Devon Continues

Last Night: Casady Trumps the Joker in “Gambler’s Choice” The $3,750 Junior Jumpers Gambler’s Choice couldn’t have taken place on a more perfect evening, Friday night in the Dixon Oval. The air was full of excitement and the tension continued to build as the ring crew set boldly colored, towering jumps that looked like they would present quite a challenge for the 17 competitors
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You Never Know

Castlewood Farm, Inc. is primarily a show barn, but we are also a very active sales barn dealing with quality horse sales.
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Opening Day at Devon

Opening Day in the Dixon Oval By Halie Greening T he opening day of Devon started out brilliantly in the Dixon Oval as the WIHS Equitation Classic- Jumper Phase got underway, with over 120 riders making the competition nothing but arduous. With a double and triple thrown into the mix, and an allowance of 81 seconds to complete the 3’6” course, this challenge set the standards for the junior jumpers. Meg O'Mara on Fernleigh (Photo by James Leslie Parker) The WIHS is divided into four sections and had strong riders in each setting the bar high for scores. The highest open numerical score was set by Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL who rode VIP Z to the score to beat of 91, and won the first of the four sections, Colvin had a fluid and flawless ride.  A spectator commented as the section continued, “She’ll win, she’ll stay on top,” and she most certainly did. Junior jumper Meg O’Mara of Rumson, NJ brought in the blue in the second section of WIHS atop Fernleigh in a flawless round with acute accuracy giving her a score of 90 finishing in a clean 68.778 seconds.  Continuing on to the third section of the first junior jumper class of the day, Elizabeth Benson of Whitehouse Station, NJ and trained by Stacia Madden put up a clean score of 89 on San Remo VDL for the win. In the fourth and final section of the WIHS Equitation Classic- Jumper Phase, a mere point put Schaefer Raposa of Wellington, FL riding Charlie Z.  with a score of 87 safely ahead of Julia Fowler’s 86. Elizabeth Benson on San Remo VDL (Photo by James Leslie Parker) A long list of robust junior equestrian athletes commanded all attention in the Dixon Oval during the WIHS Equitation Classic sponsored by Turner Investments and set high expectations for Junior Weekend
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The Golden Thread

The Golden Thread in the Canvas of Life….   Prior to exploring my inner life, I honestly thought that things just happened because they happen. I was not aware that my thoughts were participating in creating my reality and whatever I was giving energy too was growing
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New England Farms Takes Old Salem Spring Horse Shows By Storm

Bedford, NY – May 23, 2012 – New England Farm showed nothing short of success during their two weeks of competition at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows. Cynthia Williams and her students took numerous hunter championships throughout the two weeks, as well as garnering top ribbons in varying divisions against some of the nation’s best. The first week of the Old Salem Spring Horse Show was filled with anticipation as top riders vied for the esteemed championship honors. It was Alex Beyrer who rode Papillon, owned by Deb Howard, to the top of the leader board in the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters. The pair earned three blue ribbons for their efforts in the over fences, as well as the third place ribbon over fences and the first place in the under saddle. They also earned the second place honors in the M & S/NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Qualifier.
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Rachel: a Teammate Profile

Rachel and I first really got to know each other when we pledged the same sorority last winter. I dropped it shortly thereafter, but Rachel and I have remained close friends ever since. Her car was totaled in a storm over the summer, so I often toted Rachel around with me to meets, the barn, dinner, and Starbucks.
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Tryon Summer Classic Just Under a Week Away

Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) May 25 th , 2012- Aiken, SC- After a full week of competition and record attendance at the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show there is no down time for the staff at Aiken, SC based Equus Events.  The 2012 Tryon Summer Classic to benefit the Tryon Hounds is just under a week away and preparations are already underway for the event which takes place May 31-June 3 at beautiful FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center).   FENCE is an over 380 acre nature, education, and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are many activities in the area including numerous shops and antique stores as well as adventures whitewater rafting on the Green River.  This year’s show will again benefit the Tryon Hounds.  www.tryonhounds.com .  This event encompasses the days of old with a rich tradition but also attracts some of the top riders and trainers in the southeast.  Many will be competing for some of the numerous Grand Champion and perpetual trophies. Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Some of last year’s winners included; *Hoffman Van Wieren Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter- Goodman owned by Katherine Coster and ridden by Bruce Christison *Federick B Farwell Grand Champion Amateur Owner- Good Thing and Carol O’brien *The Fox Creek Farm Challenge Trophy Grand Junior Hunter- Funny Face owned by Charlotte Hoffman and ridden by Michael Kocher *The Red Frazier Memorial Grand Pony Hunter-Winter Wardrobe owned by Hannah Siegel and ridden by Elizabeth Butterworth *The George Webster High Point Short Stirrup- Savannah Smiles and Kendall Edwards *Grand Adult Hunter-Road to Time owned by Daniel Robertshaw and ridden by Grayson Schirmer *Grand Children’s Hunter-Bulls Bay owned by Ann Rice Ervin and ridden by Jessica Rooks Bruce Christison and Goodman- 2011 Grand Hunter Champions. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) The Tryon Hounds will again host an exhibitor’s party Friday June 1 st that will take place under the VIP tent during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Brick Church Farm and Reflections Farm.   The tentative start time for the derby is 6:30 and it is always a crowd favorite as some of the area’s top hunters take center stage in the main arena.  Joseph Carnicom of Toledo, Ohio will again be handling the course designing duties for the class which will consist of many natural obstacles including brush boxes, gates, coups, stone walls, and natural logs. Tryon Hounds (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Saturday evening, June 2 nd will feature the $10,000 EMO Insurance Agency Jumper Classic and Tryon Hounds Benefit dinner which will be catered by the Hare and the Hound of Landrum, SC.  The Tryon Hounds and Equus Events would like to thank Martha Hall and the EMO Agency for their continued support of this event.  The evening’s festivities will also include the annual Parade of Tryon Hounds prior to the start of the class.   The tent will open at 6PM and dinner will be served at approximately 7 PM with action in the ring starting at approximately 6:30.
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