Old Salem Farm preps for Gold Cup

Michael Morrissey, president of Stadium Jumping ”“ which is presenting the American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm in September ”“ called the event a “win, win, win” situation ”“ for the sport, for the fans and for Westchester County and its environs.

Indeed, the county is expected to see the addition of some $6 million to its coffers when the 43rd annual event returns to the farm, 120 rolling acres in North Salem, Sept. 11-15.

“It means a lot to us,” said Alan Bietsch, facility manager at Old Salem Farm, which will be hosting the event for the second time. “It”™s one of the oldest jumping shows in the U.S. To have a show of that stature come to our area ”¦ it”™s a big score for us.”

A rider at old Salem Farm on a recent morning. Photograph by Bob Rozycki
A rider at old Salem Farm on a recent morning. Photograph by Bob Rozycki

And a win for surrounding businesses such as the Crowne Plaza Danbury, the official hotel of the American Gold Cup, and three major boarding facilities ”“ Trelawny Farm in Bedford, Double H Farm in Ridgefield and Windsor Show Stables in East Windsor, Conn.

“You”™re bringing horses from outside Westchester to a premium facility,” Morrissey said. “You”™re renting cars and housing, dining and doing activities. People are coming from out of town and bringing new money in ”“ riders, owners, trainers and family.”

About 6,000 people are expected to see 450 riders and more than 700 horses compete in an array of jumper classes ”“ amateur and professional; children and adults. New this year, the Zone 2 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships will take place Sept. 14. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is one of the Gold Cup”™s two charity partners, the other being JustWorld International, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children in developing countries.

No doubt, though, the highlight of the event will be the $200,000 Grand Prix, which the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has designated a CSI 4*-W World Cup qualifier, making it key for those hoping to compete in the 2014 World Cup Finals in Lyon, France.

The Grand Prix, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, will be presented by Suncast on NBC Sports at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

In the past, Morrissey said, the American Gold Cup had struggled financially. “It didn”™t get corporate sponsorship. Having it on NBC has helped grow sponsorship.”

In addition to Suncast, Gold Cup sponsors include Ariat, Coca-Cola, Hermès, Purina, Roberto Coin jewelry, Taylor Harris Insurance Services and art dealers Mitchell-Innes & Nash and Jeffrey Terreson.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11-15, with the Zone 2 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships at 3 p.m. Sept. 14 and the gates opening at 11 a.m. on Sept. 15 for the $200,000 American Gold Cup Grand Prix CSI4*-W. Admission is free Sept. 11-13. On Sept. 14 and 15, admission is $15; $10 for children ages 4 to 12 and senior citizens age 65 and older. Children age 3 and under are admitted free. Old Salem Farm is at 190 June Road in North Salem. For more on the American Gold Cup, visit theamericangoldcup.com, stadiumjumping.com and oldsalemfarm.net.