McCarthy Wins $5,000 FEI 2* Speed Class
Edited Press Release
North Salem, NY – September 12, 2024 – Two Irishmen claimed top honors in the first two international classes at the 2024 Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows on Thursday, with each class featuring over 40 entries representing eight countries. Old Salem kicked off its FEI division with the $10,000 FEI 4* Two-Phase presented by Eastern Hay, where Olympic veteran Darragh Kenny piloted Serendepety to the win in a speedy double-clear time of 25.36 seconds.
The Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to top Grand Prix stars aboard their elite mounts. Week 1 (September 10-15) is designated CSI4*/2* while Week 2 (September 17-22) is designated CSI3*. Old Salem’s September schedule also includes a National/Level 2 event (September 25-27).
Kenny is no stranger to the podium at Old Salem Farm, especially with Beerbaum Stables GMBH’s 9-year-old Hanoverian mare. On Thursday, the pair bested a field of 41 starters over Ken Krome’s 14-effort, 1.45 m course in the $10,000 FEI 4* Two-Phase.
“Serendepety is a really fast mare,” Kenny said. “She’s really stepped up to the 1.45/1.50 m level, and I just had a bit of fun with her today. She’s super quick across the ground and really light, and I just had to turn back in a couple of places for the time. She was great.
“She’ll jump the 1.45 m class again on Saturday,” he added. “My other horses, Rockstar and Chaccoletto, will jump the 1.50 m tomorrow, then Rockstar will jump the (Blue Diamond Cup) on Sunday.”
Earning second place was Zayna Rizvi (USA), who tripped the timers in 26.21 seconds aboard Flying Z LLC’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Oryzon Van Het Schaeck. Third went to Will Simpson (USA) with his 26.40-second time aboard Will Simpson Stables Inc.’s 15-year-old Mecklenburg gelding Chacco P.
The $5,000 FEI 2* Speed Class followed later in the afternoon with 43 entries contesting Krome’s 13-effort, 1.40 m course. Just third to go in the order, Ireland’s Simon McCarthy set a blazing time to beat of 58.26 seconds aboard his 8-year-old Selle Français mare Good Mood Semilly. His lead held through the end of the class, with only Georgina Bloomberg (USA) coming within five seconds of that time. She claimed second place in 63.13 seconds aboard Purple Road LLC’s 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion Copernicus.
“She’s naturally very, very fast,” McCarthy said. “She’s a pretty new horse for me, so I’m just trying to figure her out right now. She’s jumped quite a few clear rounds with me recently, so today, I decided to see what would happen if I went fast. She’s just as good about that!
“She’ll jump again tomorrow in the 2* Ranking Class, and then she’ll be done for the week,” he continued. “My other horse (Narcotique V/H Dingenshof) will be in the 1.50 m class tomorrow and then the (Blue Diamond Cup) on Sunday.”
The USA’s Delaney Flynn finished third in 67.49 seconds riding My Lady Carthago, Windsor Show Stables LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner mare.
Several champions were crowned in the Hedge and June Road hunter rings, including Performance 3’3” Hunter Champion Leisure, owned by Stable Assets and ridden by Halie Robinson of Santa Barbara, CA. Lisa Williams’ Crystal Blue won the Green 3’3”/3’6” Hunter Championship with Lainie Wimberly of Ridgefield, CT, in the irons.
With performances that helped her earn the Grand Hunter Championship, Holly Orlando of Wellington, FL, brought home the Performance 3’6”/High Performance 4’ Hunter Championship aboard James Anderson’s Soane and the Green 3’ Hunter Championship aboard Sheena Firestone’s Creed.
For live show results, visit HorseShowsOnline.com.
