Hunter competition at the 2020 Old Salem Farm Fall Series Horse Show kicked off Wednesday morning, August 9 with a strong performance by Lainie Wimberly and Brigadoon Show Stables Inc.’s Corto Des Dames as the pair secured the first champion of the circuit in the Performance Hunters 3’3”. With the safety of exhibitors as a top priority, Old Salem Farm has put COVID-19 protocols in place that include wearing masks when unmounted and social distancing. Athletes returned to the iconic venue for the first of three scheduled weeks of hunter and jumper competition. Jumper competitors flocked to the Grand Prix Field where Jeffrey Welles took the victory in the $3,000 1.35m Open Jumper Stake aboard Calais.
Lainie Wimberly on Corto Des Dames. Photo by SEL Photography.
Wimberly and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Orson Des Hayettes x Obonny Des Hayettes) came out victorious in two of their four classes while earning second in another to produce the points needed for the championship title.
“It feels so good to be back at a horse show,” Wimberly said. “The home time training is great, but at the same time, there is the desire to get back out into the show ring and see if you’ve met your goal!”
Wimberly’s partner was not always a hunter ring ride; after purchasing the gelding from McLain Ward, she originally competed him in the jumper ring until an unfortunate misstep into a post hole put his career on hold.
“We took him out of work for about two years after the incident and did stem cell treatment with him,” she explained. “Once he was back and working, I thought to myself, ‘Let me just try him in the hunter ring,’ because he was such a good mover and produces great jumps.”
The move was a successful one for the pair as Wimberly added he has earned a championship almost every time in the hunter ring since.
After being awarded the second place ribbon in two out of three classes and third in another, Lisa Rex and the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos x Fonata) Contargo earned the Reserve Champion honors in the division.
Do you have a horse show hero?
Click here to nominate your Horse Show Hero for an award that honors your most valued groom, stall cleaner, body clipper, braider, bodyworker, night watcher or other support staff. The lucky winner will receive a $500 VISA gift card. The Horse Show Hero award, presented by ShowAssist, will be presented before the start of the $75,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, Sept. 13.