Old Salem Farm: American Gold Cup Returns to Action

Source: News Release/PMG Inc. (edited)

American Gold Cup Returns to Action at Old Salem Farm
42nd anniversary edition scheduled for North Salem, NY on September 12-16, 2012

Bradenton, Florida - The American Gold Cup, one of the world's most prestigious show jumping events, returns to action in September at its new home at Old Salem Farm, in North Salem, NY. The show is scheduled for September 12th through the 16th, 2012, with the famed $200,000 American Gold Cup as the highlight event on the final Sunday.

Old Salem Farm, in New York's Westchester County, is a premier equestrian venue, offering state-of-the-art facilities, surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.

In fact, in 2010, the Old Salem Spring Show was voted one of the Top 25 Horse Shows in North America by NARG, the North American Rider's Group. The owners at Old Salem have spent over $30 million in renovations over the past few years to bring this venue on par with any show facility in the world.

"We're very excited that the American Gold Cup has finally found a permanent home at Old Salem Farm. It's a great facility, and one that's convenient to so many equestrians," said Stadium Jumping President, Michael Morrissey. "We think we've come up with a great schedule for the return of the Gold Cup and we're hoping for a top turnout of the nation's best equestrians. It should be a very exciting week of show jumping action."

The show will feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus Young Jumpers. A $25,000 Show Jumping Hall of Classic will take center stage on Saturday and the day will also include $10,000 NAL Classics for Children, Adults and Low Junior/Amateurs.

Highlight events for Open Jumpers include the $10,000 1.45m Speed class on Thursday, the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier on Friday, the $35,000 1.45m American Gold Cup Jumper Classic on Saturday and of course, Sunday's main event, the 42nd edition of the $200,000 American Gold Cup.

A pioneering show jumping classic, the American Gold Cup, was first held in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1970. Past winners include Olympians Michael Matz, Melanie Smith-Taylor, Leslie Howard, Conrad Homfeld, Joe Fargis, Peter Leone, Anne Kursinksi, Beezie Madden, Chris Kappler, Mario Deslauriers, Norman Dello Joio and 2011 Pan American Games Individual Gold Medalist Christine McCrea. In its formative years, the legendary "Red Rider," Rodney Jenkins was a five-time winner of the American Gold Cup with Idle Dice, Balbucco and The Natural.

This year's event in September will be much more than an equestrian competition, but rather a family destination, offering the non-equestrian enthusiast a children's fair, a petting zoo, live musical entertainment and a trade fair. The famous Just World International Horseless Horse Show, always an exciting attraction for children attending the event, will also be held.

See you in September in New York!

AMERICAN GOLD CUP FAST FACTS

What:
The $200,000 American Gold Cup

When:
September 12 - 16, 2012

Where:
Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY

Hours:
8am - 5pm daily

Facility:
Old Salem Farm is New York state's Westchester County's premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, training and sales. At Old Salem you will find state-of-the-art facilities, top-level training, all surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres for riding.

Old Salem annually holds 26 USEF A, B & C rated competitions. The venue holds at least one competition a month. The most prominent are May 8-13, 2012 AA rated with a Grand Prix and May 15 - 20, 2012 with Grand Prix. The American Gold Cup will provide the elite high performance competition to Old Salem's calendar. In 2010 the Old Salem Spring Show was voted one of the Top 25 Horse Shows in America by NARG. The owners have spent over $30 million in renovations to make this a world class facility.