Adrienne Sternlicht Scores First Grand Prix Win at Old Salem Farm
Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), of Greenwich, CT, led her first grand prix victory gallop riding Toulago after the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 13, at the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 20 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
From a field of 40 over tracks built by Ken Krome of Westminster, MD, Sternlicht, who celebrated her 25th birthday on Wednesday, May 9, was first to return in an 11-horse jump-off. She and Toulago, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Toulon x Carthago Z) owned by Starlight Farms, LLC, laid down an unbeatable time in 39.15 seconds for the win.
Adrienne Sternlicht and Toulago are presented as winners of the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, by Old Salem Farm owner Kamran Hakim and family on Sunday, May 13, during the 2018 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Photo by The Book
“It was an amazing day,” said Sternlicht. “It’s a bit surreal and everyone was telling me not to cry. I am super happy with my horse and even happier that I executed my plan.”
Sternlicht trains with U.S. Olympic team gold medalist and Brewster, NY, native McLain Ward, who is known for pulling out all the stops when it counts.
Adrienne Sternlicht won her first grand prix in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Toulago. Photo by The Book
“McLain’s advice was to do six from one to two and I wasn’t sure how that would ride given that I did eight in the first round, but I picked up a good canter and believed in my horse,” said Sternlicht, who executed the two-stride leave out perfectly. “My horse is incredible and quite brave. He really knows his job and he’s quite seasoned at this level; I‘m really lucky to have him as a teacher. Typically, I would ride a bit conservative to the last fence [in a jump-off], but I knew I had nothing to lose with so many fast horses coming after me, especially Sydney on her horse Villamoura, who was definitely the fastest horse in the class. I knew I had to take a shot.”
Sternlicht took that shot and held off Sydney Shulman (USA), also of Greenwich, CT. But, it was a rivalry among friends as the two young riders have been competing together since they were children.
Sydney Shulman finished second in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Villamoura. Photo by The Book
“She’s like my sister,” said Sternlicht. “We were best friends since we were born and she’s family to me. It’s amazing to have that kind of connection with someone in the sport.”
Shulman and her nine-year-old mare by Diamant de Semilly, owned by her mother Jill Shulman, stopped the timers just short of the lead in 39.29 seconds.
“This is a relatively green horse and she’s small, but she’s just shown class after class that she tries every time and it’s a great finish,” said Shulman. “I think my horse comes up to Adrienne’s horse’s knee caps, but she’s super quick across the ground so I really had to stay calm and cool and collected. I’m thrilled that Adrienne won today; it almost feels like I’m winning myself when she does well.”
Charlie Jacobs took third in the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Cassinja S. Photo by The Book
Charles Jacobs (USA) of Boston, MA, jumped into the top three with a double-clear finish in 40.08 seconds riding his two-time FEI World Cup Jumping Final mount, Cassinja S, a 12-year-old Dutch Sporthorse mare owned by CMJ Sporthorse, LLC.
“I bought her as a seven-year-old and she’s my girl – I love her,” he said. “I have been jumping here at Old Salem Farm for many years and the showgrounds make significant improvement each year. It’s a great show and we get top horses and riders who come out year after year. It’s always a pleasure to jump on a grass field, win or lose.”
With a time of 41.34 seconds, Ireland’s Cormac Hanley finished in fourth riding Alma Z, owned by Heathman Farm, LLC, and Mario Deslauriers (CAN) rounded out the top five aboard Bardolina 2 for owner Wishing Well Farm, LLC in 41.39 seconds.
As the first week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows comes to a close, FEI riders will now turn their focus to CSI3* competition during week two, which offers the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 20.
Final Results: $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by The Kincade Group
1 TOULAGO: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Toulon x Carthago Z
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms LLC: 0/0/39.15
2 VILLAMOURA: 2009 mare by Diamant de Semilly
SYDNEY SHULMAN (USA), Jill Shulman: 0/0/39.29
3 CASSINJA S: 2006 Dutch Sporthorse mare by Carinjo x Cassini I
CHARLES JACOBS (USA), CMJ Sporthorse, LLC: 0/0/40.80
4 ALMA Z: 2007 Oldenburg mare by Chacco-Blue x Pablo
CORMAC HANLEY (IRL), Heathman Farm, LLC: 0/0/41.34
5 BARDOLINA 2: 2009 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Landos
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/0/41.39
6 CHAMONIX H: 2001 SWB mare by Equest Carnute x Caletto II
KELLI CRUCIOTTI (USA), Serenity Farm: 0/0/42.28
7 CARACHO 14: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Dobel’s Cento x Acodetto
LUCY DAVIS (USA), Old Oak Farm: 0/0/43.44
8 BALOU 660: 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Ramiro
VASCO FLORES (PUR), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/4/42.68
9 DALI DE VY: 2009 SBS mare by Ugano Sitte x Fidji du Fleury
CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/4/45.29
10 CROWN 5: 2005 Holsteiner by Cassini I x Lord
GEORGINA BLOOMBER (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/4/48.45
11 PENELOPE CRUZ: 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare by Ustinov x Peter Pan
CAPT. BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Capt. Brian Cournane: 0/Elim.
12 QUI VIVE DES SONGES Z: 2006 Zangersheide stallion by Quaprice Z x Lagos
HEATHER CARISTO-WILLIAMS (USA), Holly & Ralph Caristo: 1/77.55
McLain Ward Races to Victory in $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by TownVibe
Just a few weeks ago, McLain Ward did not have a derby horse in his string. So, he looked to a sales horse named Dakota to point towards the Old Salem Farm Speed Derby.
McLain Ward and Dakota won the $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by TownVibe. Photo by The Book
“I don’t know if he has ever done the derbies before, but I said to some people in the barn that he was going to be the one to win the derby,” recalled Ward, who hails just up the road from Old Salem Farm in Brewster, NY. “I started jumping him through the woods at home. I jumped him in and out of the ring a few times and really just goofed around with him to get him ready. He’s a really game little horse and a real trier.”
McLain Ward and Dakota lead victory gallop after the $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, presented by TownVibe, on Saturday, May 12. Photo by The Book
Ward and Dakota secured a time of 64.242 seconds over the faults converted course set by Ken Krome of Westminster, MD, which included the use of elements on the Old Salem Farm Grand Prix Field like the table top, ditch, and bank. Ward and his eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Vittorio clinched the win by more than a second over Pablo Mejia Villa (COL) riding his own RL Real Love. They crossed the timers in 65.933 seconds for second, while Canada’s Mario Deslauriers took third aboard his own Curo in 67.556 seconds.
Molly Ashe (USA) was fourth on Picobello Choppin PC in 68.08 seconds for Louisburg Farm, and Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) rounded out the top five riding Hope Street to a time of 68.727 seconds for owner Starlight Farm.
“I think it’s a fun class and a bit interesting when there’s less and less classes like this in the world,” continued Ward. “It’s such a beautiful field that it’s quite a fun class to participate in. The footing is great and has been holding up well with the spring weather we had today. This show has really grown into a lovely two weeks.”