“It”™s not their first time at the rodeo,” Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino said, deliberately tweaking a metaphor.
Indeed, Old Salem Farm played host to the American Gold Cup Equestrian Competition, one of international show jumping”™s most prestigious events, last year. The sprawling North Salem horse farm is set to welcome the Gold Cup again Sept. 11-15, drawing an estimated 10,000 people to the county and adding at least $6 million to its coffers.
Not to mention a national viewership: The 43rd annual competition, a qualifier for the World Cup, will be broadcast by NBC Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
“This is going to put a spotlight on Westchester, not only around the country but around the world,” Astorino said at a recent press conference at the farm. “It”™s an opportunity to focus on the northeast portion of the county, which is often called ”˜horse country.”™”
The Gold Cup will feature 600 horses and 300 riders in various classes ”“ amateur and professional, children”™s, junior and adult ”“ from around the world. There”™s no doubt, however, that the highlight will be the $200,000 Grand Prix, which the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has designated as a CSI 4*-W World Cup Qualifier, making it key for those hoping to compete at the 2014 World Cup Finals in Lyon, France.
It”™s hard to imagine a better preparatory stage than Old Salem Farm, which had undergone a $30 million renovation, adding luster to a 120-acre site that is home to a pristine Grand Prix field and state-of-the art facilities for boarding, training, sales and 26 annual competitions that include the Spring Horse Shows (May 7-12, 14-19).
Those who experience Old Salem for the first or the umpteenth time this September will just be the tip of the economic iceberg. Astorino, who is spearheading the “Meet Me in Westchester County” marketing campaign, said he expects Gold Cup attendees to be dining in and exploring the area, swelling the $6 million in anticipated revenues and adding to the $2.4 billion industry in New York state.
Of the 202,000 horses statewide, more than 70 percent are involved in showing and recreation. Concern for their safety has grown over the years. That”™s why Valerie Angeli, senior director of equine and special projects at The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), said her organization was “honored” to be one of the charitable partners of this year”™s Gold Cup (the other being JustWorld International). The selection of the ASPCA, founded in 1866 to aid abused horses, “sends a message of humane and responsible horsemanship.”
Asked about the environmental impact of the Gold Cup on a place that is known for turreted mansions and spreading farms that sit sedately back from long, winding roads, Astorino said that the county will work with the town of North Salem and the North Salem Central School District to ensure both a flow in traffic and ample parking for participants and visitors. Among those participants will be McLain Ward, a member of the U.S. teams that struck gold in show jumping at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Ward, who was born in Mount Kisco, grew up in North Salem and lives in Brewster, is looking forward to an event in his own backyard.
“I”™m happy to compete here and sleep in my own bed.”
