North Salem, New York – Paul O’Shea (IRL) had not taken the opportunity to test the speed of Skara Glen’s Presence before Wednesday’s 1.40m, but the stallion was quick to prove he has what it takes to win in the jumper ring. O’Shea and the eight-year-old Holsteiner he owns with Skara Glen bested 49 horses in the immediate jump-off class over courses by Alan Wade (IRL).

“I normally don’t go fast on him, but today he felt good, so we went for it,” said O’Shea. “There is no harm for them to go fast sometimes to learn how to do it, and he really responded well. He listened and did it like it was easy.”

O’Shea has plans for Skara Glen’s Presence to be a top contender for ribbons at the grand prix level and is off to a great start.

“He’s got such a huge stride and is always thinking about where the fences are,” said O’Shea. “He has everything that’s needed; he’s very brave, very scopey, and very careful. That all makes my job a little easier. ”

While Skara Glen’s Presence’s big stride gave O’Shea a significant advantage, they were also fast, stopping the clock double clear in 35.999 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) and Gentille van Spieveld, owned by GJ Stables & Peter Howard, claimed second in 37.441 seconds, while Jeffery Welles (USA) and Calais took third in 37.441 seconds for owners Sharon Gunthel and Triton Ventures. Lauren Tisbo (USA) was fourth in the irons of Coriandolo di Ribano for Tequestrian Farms, LLC in 38.896 seconds, and Maggie McAlary (USA) capped the top five for Double H Farm aboard HH Ciske van Overis with a time of 40.376 seconds.

O’Shea, who is based out of Whipstick Farm in South Salem, NY, brought Skara Glen’s Presence to the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows to gain valuable experience on the grass Grand Prix Field. But, this venue also serves as an anniversary of sorts for O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence. The stallion first caught O’Shea’s eye as a six-year-old while competing at the American Gold Cup with pervious owner, Derek Braun.

“This is a great place to show for any horse, but the young ones really do well here,” said O’Shea. “The ground is really good, and the horses are able to learn a lot.”

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows continue through Sunday, May 22, highlighted by the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development, and the $35,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by TownVibe. Thursday’s competition will see a $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m and $5,000 Under 25 Jump 1.45m for jumpers, and the crowning of Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion.

Final Results: $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
1 SKARA GLEN’S PRESENCE: 2008 Holsteiner stallion by Contendro x Nekton
Paul O’Shea (IRL), Paul O’Shea & Skara Glen: 0/0/35.999
2 GENTILLE VAN SPIEVELD: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker x Capital
Leslie Howard (USA), GJ Stables & Peter Howard: 0/0/37.441
3 CALAIS: 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Ultimo
Jeffery Welles (USA), Sharon Gunthel/Triton Ventures: 0/0/37.847
4 CORIANDOLO DI RIBANO: 2007 Sella Italiano stallion by Cassini II x Baldini
Lauren Tisbo (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/0/38.896
5 HH CISKE VAN OVERIS: 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare by Celano x Darco
Maggie McAlary (USA), Double H Farm: 0/0/40.376
6 ARISTOTELES V: 2005 KWPN stallion by Padinus x Lux
Jonathan McCrea (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/0/42.710
7 CORLIDA: 2006 Oldenburg mare by Cornet Obolensky x Calido
Nicholas Dello Joio (USA), The Corlida Group: 0/0/43.907
8 CLEARWATER: 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Clearway x Come On
Marilyn Little (USA), Karen O’Connor: 0/4/35.539
9 CARLANDA 5: 2007 Holsteiner mare by Cassini I x Silvester
Lauren Tisbo (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/4/36.053
10 HH BEST BUY: 2007 Holsteiner mare by Baloubet D. RO x Cassini I
McLain Ward (USA), Double H Farm: 0/4/37.077
11 PAOLA 233: 2007 Westphalian mare by Ponitfex x Up To Date
Patricia Griffith (USA), Emily Perez: 0/4/39.240
12 HH FYLOE: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Burggraaf x Heartbreaker
Quentin Judge (USA), Double H Farm: 0/4/39.498

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer more than $500,000 in divisions ranging from ponies and equitation to Under 25 and top FEI competition. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday during the Spring Horse Shows. During the weekend of May 20-22, which features the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 22, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12. To purchase tickets for all show jumping events at the Spring Horse Shows, CLICK HERE.

Stay on top of all things Old Salem Farm this spring with all-day live streaming of the Grand Prix Field Friday through Sunday at www.oldsalemfarm.net.

Major events on the live stream include (times are subject to change):
Week 2
$35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, brought to you by Great American Insurance, on Friday, May 20, 1 pm
$35,000 Speed Derby of North Salem on Saturday, May 21, 12 pm
$15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, T & R Development, on Saturday May 21, 1 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Saturday, May 21, 1:30 pm
$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, on Saturday, May 21, 2 pm
“ShowNet Time Allowed” Pre-Game Show, on Sunday, May 22, 2 pm
$130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 22, 2:30 pm

Old Salem Farm and Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are also on Facebook, as well as on Twitter and Instagram as @oldsalemfarmny. Follow for an exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at the Old Salem Farm experience.

Full horse show results can be found at www.horseshowsonline.com.

About the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows
Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group. Host of the FEI 2* and 3* Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.