Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows to Host International Horses and Riders Ahead of Paris Olympic Games

Olympic Veterans from Five Countries Among Star-Studded Field of Entries

One of the premier stops on the American hunter-jumper horse show circuit, the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to Olympic veterans, such as local hero McLain Ward (USA), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Daniel Bluman (ISR), Ashlee Bond (ISR), Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Beat Mandli (SUI). Week 1 (May 7-12) is USEF ‘National-6’ rated for hunters and jumpers and designated FEI CSI3*; Week 2 (May 14-19) is USEF ‘Premier-6’ rated and designated FEI CSI4*.

Here are just some of the show jumping stars entered to compete at Old Salem:

Continuing as Co-Chairman of the Spring Horse Shows, McLain Ward returns to Old Salem Farm as the defending champion in several highlight classes including the Shows’ $65,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem presented by The Kincade Group. He is a highly accomplished rider on the international stage, having competed in five Olympic Games (with two Gold and two Silver medals!), four FEI World Equestrian Games (with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals), two Pan American Games (with two Gold and one Silver medal) and 25 of the 28 FEI World Cup Finals since 1995. He was the 2017 FEI World Cup champion and ranks consistently among the Top 10 riders on the LONGINES FEI World Rankings.

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© Horse & Hound

One of the most accomplished riders in show jumping history, Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa is another familiar face at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows as both a competitor and a sponsor. Pessoa has competed in six Olympic and FEI World Equestrian games each, securing several podium finishes including Individual Gold medals at the 2004 Olympics and 1998 World Equestrian Games. He has also brought home Team Gold medals from two of the three Pan American Games he’s attended, and he’s competed in 13 FEI World Cup Finals, claiming three consecutive wins from 1998-2000. He is the only rider in history to win the World Cup championship three consecutive years.

Daniel Bluman first competed on the world stage under the Colombian flag, representing his home country for 12 years through two Olympic Games, two FEI World Equestrian Games and three Pan American Games. In 2017, he chose to represent Israel and has since added the 2018 World Equestrian Games, 2022 World Championship and 2023 FEI World Cup Final to his record. Among his grand prix wins are major events including the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome, the Hampton Classic Grand Prix (three times), and the FTI Wellington Finale. Outside the show ring, he and his wife Ariel dedicate their time to their “Ride the Future” program, helping to support riders who otherwise may not have the means to pursue a career in the sport.

From the Daniel Bluman Official Facebook page

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Since winning his first FEI Grand Prix in 2011, Nayel Nassar has represented Egypt in three FEI World Cup Finals, the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games, and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with several big grand prix victories along the way. He is a three-time winner of the HITS $1 million Grand Prix and is the only rider ever to win the Speed Challenge and 5* Grand Prix at the same Longines Masters event. He currently rides as part of the team at Evergate Stables, competing with several horses out of their California and Florida bases, and is a member of the Paris Panthers on the prestigious Global Champions League circuit.

Also entered to compete are such show jumping stars as:

As a young rider, Georgina Bloomberg earned four medals in her three appearances at the North American Young Riders’ Championships, and she has continued to be a major player for Team USA in the years since. She made her Nations Cup debut in 2005 in France, where she was a member of the all-female winning team; she made her first of two World Cup Final appearances that same year in Las Vegas, NV. She helped to clinch the win at the 2014 Furusiyya Nations Cup in Spain and later claimed the Team Bronze medal in her major games debut at the 2015 Pan American Games. A dedicated philanthropist and advocate for animal rescue, she shares her North Salem farm with her horses, dogs, goats, rabbits, mules and the endearing pig, Wilbur.

© Geoffrey Tischman/Jump Media

Courtesy of Lillie by Flying Changes

Lillie Keenan has been a competitive rider from a young age, making headlines early in her career for her successes in many events such as the 2007 USEF Pony Hunter National Championship, 2011 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, 2012 North American Junior Equitation Championship, 2013 USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals and ASPCA Maclay Finals, and North American Junior and Young Riders Championships where she won individual and team Gold medals in 2013 after winning team Gold in 2012. Since then, she has represented the U.S. in international competition on several Nations Cup teams, including at the 2017 Dublin Horse Show where an all-female team claimed the prestigious Aga Khan Trophy for the first time. She has ridden on the U.S. team in the FEI Nations Cup Final in 2016 and 2021 and in the FEI World Championships in 2022.

L-R: Ashlee Bond (ISR), Mimi Gochman (USA), and Paul O’Shea (IRL) competing in the 2023 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows © SEL Photography

The Spring Horse Shows’ Week 1 takes place May 7-12 with highlights including the Evergate Stables’ $40,000 New York Welcome Stake, $10,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby, $38,700 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase, $38,700 FEI 1.45m Jump-off, $25,000 Old Salem Farm Jumper Classic, $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.40m Classic presented by Eastern Hay and $125,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix Presented by The Kincade Group.

The ambiance at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows is unlike any other venue in the country with over-the-top hospitality and unique shopping offered along Old Salem’s popular Boutique Row. Old Salem offers opportunities for a curated group of vendors to set up their boutiques in the vendor area located overlooking the International Arena. Applications are available now at vendor info and application. Food vendors provide meals to go and delicious snack options. Family fun activities include pony rides, face painting and more. VIP table seating is available with an unbeatable view of the International Arena and gourmet farm-to-table fare, but space is limited! Click here for VIP hospitality info.