Rock Harbor Claims Grand Hunter Championship at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows

Louise Serio of Kennett Square, PA, piloted Rock Harbor to the Grand Hunter Championship for the second consecutive year at the 2017 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, on Wednesday, May 10. Highlighting jumper action on the Grand Prix Field during the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 9-14 and May 16-21, 2017 Longines FEI World Cup winner McLain Ward topped the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m riding Balando.

Serio and Rock Harbor, a ten-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Jennifer Burger, pulled off a clean sweep of the High Performance Hunter Division to clinch the division championship as well as Grand Hunter Champion honors. The pair won two classes over fences and the under saddle on Tuesday before returning to win both the over fences class and the handy.

“It’s a hard thing to do,” said Serio of her five blue ribbons over two days. “I am just really proud of him. He always tries hard and has been a great horse for me."

Serio started riding Rock Harbor five years ago in the pre-green hunter division and trains the mount at her own Derbydown Stables in Kennett Square, PA.

“He loves it here, and he always performs well,” said Serio. “He loves the footing in the Sand Ring. He comes here every year, and I have to say that last year he had some of his best performances ever and he went equally as well this year.

“I like the rings here because they are big and open,” continued Serio, who includes the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows on her show schedule each year. “The courses are nice, and the footing is awesome. It is a great way to get your horses outside after the winter and ready to go for the season.”

Reserve champion honors in the High Performance Hunter Division were presented to The Exchange, ridden by Holly Orlando and owned by Over The Top Stables, LLC. Orlando and The Exchange earned two second places and a third place over fences, were third in the handy, and fifth under saddle.

McLain Ward and Balando Win $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m

McLain Ward, currently ranked number two on the Longines FEI World Rankings, rode to a win in the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m aboard Balando, owned by Signe Ostby, to highlight competition on the Grand Prix Field at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.

Ward, who hails just minutes from Old Salem Farm in Brewster, NY, piloted Balando, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Burggraaf x Jasper), to a clear speed round in 54.38 seconds. The time was enough for the win over a field of the 56 riders competing over courses built by Ken Krome of Westminster, MD.

A second off the pace set by Ward, Andrew Ramsay (USA) stopped the clock in 55.59 seconds for second place riding Stranger 30 for the Stranger Group. Devin Ryan (USA) took third in 57.916 seconds riding Eddie Blue, owned by LL Show Jumpers, LLC. Ramsay also placed fourth riding Cocq a Doodle, owned by The Doodle Group in 58.134 seconds, while Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) rounded out the top five riding Raia d’Helby for Starlight Farms, LLC in 59.581 seconds.

Open Jumper competition continues with Thursday’s $10,000 1.40m – 1.45m on the Grand Prix Field, while the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion will be crowned in the Main Hunter Ring.

Spectators are welcome at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday. On the weekends of May 13-14 and 20-21, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12.

Stay informed on the happenings at Old Salem Farm this spring with live streaming of select events during the Spring Horse Shows at www.oldsalemfarm.net. Old Salem Farm and Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are also on Facebook, as well as on Twitter and Instagram as @oldsalemfarmny. Follow for an exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at the Old Salem Farm experience.

Final Results: $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m

1 BALANDO: Dutch Warmblood gelding by Burggraaf x Jasper
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Signe Ostby: 0/54.380

2 STRANGER 30: 2006 Hanoverian gelding by Stakkato x Cheenook
ANDREW RAMSAY (USA), The Stranger Group: 0/55.590

3 EDDIE BLUE: 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Zirocco Blue VDL x Marlon
DEVIN RYAN (USA), LL Show Jumpers, LLC: 0/ 57.916

4 COCQ A DOODLE: 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare by Tolan R x Niagara
ANDREW RAMSAY (USA), The Doodle Group: 0/58.134

5 RAIA D’HELBY: 2005 Selle Français mare by Fergar Mail x Papillon Rouge
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms, LLC: 0/59.581

6 DIABLO: 2008 by Jaguar Mail
MARIO DESLAURIERS (USA), Luja, LLC: 0/60.651

7 CAN CUN 2: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Concerto II
MARIO DESLAURIERS (USA), Mario Deslauriers: 0/61.386

8 ROI DES FORETS: 2005 Selle Francais stallion by Indoctro x Le Tot de Semilly
ASHLEY PARTOW (USA), Caspian Group LLC: 0/63.835

9 MR. VISTO: 2005 Holsteiner stallion by Levisto
LAUREN TISBO (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/64.752

10 NEKTARINA B: 2005 Holsteiner mare by Nekton x Lancer II
CHRISTINA MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 0/64.817

11 D CAROLUS: 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Tjungske
JONATHAN MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/65.199

12 BIJOU DU PONT RIHEN: 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Radco D Houtveld x Pluriel
MCLAIN WARD (USA), McLain Ward: 0/65.809