PRESS RELEASE
Merry Harding Tops Sunday Hunter Derby Day at Old Salem Farm Fall Classic
Hunter riders took to the grand prix field for Sunday Hunter Derby Day on the final day of the Old Salem Farm Fall Classic with a win for Merry Harding of Ridge, NY, in the $5,000 Old Salem Farm 3’3”-3’6” Hunter Derby, presented by Colonial Automobile Group of Danbury, CT, on Sunday, October 1. Top honors also went to Layla Kurbanov of Greenwich, CT, in the Child/Adult 2’6” Hunter Derby, and Emilia Richard of Middlefield, CT, in the Pony Hunter Derby at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
Sunday Hunter Derby Day welcomed riders of all levels to experience hunter competition on the famed grass Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm. In the featured class of the day, Harding moved up from second to first over two rounds to best a field of 20 horses. Her first-round score of 84 was coupled with an 87 over the handy track to give her and Conrido a final score of 171 and the victory for owner Jill Tauber.
“He is a really trustworthy horse, and he was absolutely amazing today. Overall, he was more relaxed than usual and had more of a flow. There were a lot of inside turns in the second round and he is still a little green, but was right there every time. This is his second year at 3’3”, and I think he is ready to move up into the bigger derbies soon.” ~ Merry Harding
“I knew this would be such a fun experience. I really just tried to have fun, and it turned out really well for me. Constantin is so hard-working and a very good listener. He was very adjustable today. That is what I like most about him.”
~ Layla Kurbanov
“I had a lot of fun. Fairy is really sweet, and he’s always a good boy for me. My favorite part of the day was the victory gallop!” ~ Emilia Richard
Hear what Merry had to say about her derby win!
