Darragh Kenny “Doubles Down” at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show

North Salem, New York, USA – May 09, 2024 – The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows caught an early glimpse of their world-class field of show jumpers on Wednesday, with many international riders competing in the Open Jumper division throughout the day and presenting their horses for the afternoon’s FEI horse inspection presented by Alliant Private Client. With several familiar faces looking ahead to the Paris Olympic Games this summer, nine countries will be represented in the Old Salem Farm International Arena throughout the week.

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are one of the premier stops on the nation’s hunter-jumper horse show circuit, offering a full schedule of world-class competition May 7-12 and May 14-19 that features the nation’s best in equestrian sport.

Many riders successfully tackled the Alan Wade-designed two-phase courses in each of Wednesday’s Open Jumper classes, with Wade’s fellow Irishmen claiming several blue-ribbon honors.

After splitting first place in the $4,000 Open Jumper 1.35m with Sydney Shulman Desiderio (ISR), Darragh Kenny (IRL) returned to the winner’s circle in the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m to conclude Wednesday’s competition in the International Arena. He and Heathman Farm LLC’s Rockstar bested a field of 45 entries with their 27.256-second time.

“Everybody’s here, and everybody wants to get going,” Kenny said. “We all had a bit of a break after the Wellington circuit, so it’s nice to get in the ring and know my horses are feeling so good. I’ve had Rockstar for about a year and a half now, and he’s a really super horse. He’s just coming back and is in great form. He’ll jump in the [$25,000 Old Salem Farm Jumper Classic] this week and in the FEI classes next week; then we’ll go from there.” 

Final Results – $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m

1) Darragh Kenny (IRL) & Rockstar

2) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Good Mood Semilly

3) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Gucci

Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows

Photos: © SEL Photography

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