North Salem, N.Y. – Sept. 16, 2017 – Saturday hosted the $86,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* at the American Gold Cup, where Irish athletes and Sweet Oak Farm barnmates Shane Sweetnam and Lorcan Gallagher finished one-two in the day’s highlight event. Sweetnam scored a narrow victory over Gallagher aboard Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, owned by The Blue Buckle Group, crossing the finish line just two-tenths of a second faster.
Out of 57 initial international challengers, four were invited to return to the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm, after jumping faultlessly in the first round, to vie for the top prize in an eight-fence jump-off designed by Alan Wade and Nigel Jess.
Andrew Ramsay (USA) and The Doodle Group’s Cocq A Doodle, Thursday’s winners in the $35,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake CSI4* at the American Gold Cup, kicked off the tiebreaker, finishing on 4 faults in 37.42 seconds.
New York native Georgina Bloomberg (USA) and Gotham Enterprizes, LLC’s Manodie II H took their turn on the grass field next and posted the first clear effort in 40.47 seconds. Their lead wouldn’t hold for long as Sweetnam and Ivy, barn name of the 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, blazed around the short course, leaving all of the jumps intact and stopping the timers in 39.97 seconds.
Gallagher and the Dacantos Group’s Hunters Conlypso II were the final challengers of the jump-off and looked to overtake their teammates’ lead, following an almost identical track, but were just off the winning pace in 39.99 seconds. Bloomberg rounded out the top three, while Ramsay claimed fourth place.
The 2017 American Gold Cup culminates with the coveted $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York CSI4*-W on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m., where the top 40 athletes from Friday’s qualifier will go head-to-head for the highly sought-after American Gold Cup.
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FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Shane Sweetnam – $86,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* winner
On competing against fellow Sweet Oak Farm rider Lorcan Gallagher:
“It was great to have Lorcan second. I didn’t mind who won to be honest. It was important we both did well. I think if he did one less to the last he would’ve had me. Ivy jumped great and Lorcan rode great so I was very happy for him.”
On Indra Van De Oude Heihoef:
“I’ve had her for a little while, but I’ve been taking my time. I got her in January and fiddled around with her and got to know her. She’s very sensitive but she’s an exceptional mare. I jumped her around the last 5* in Florida and she was good. She had one down and then she was part of my team in Europe all year so she’s learned a lot. She was unlucky not to be clear in the grand prix at the Hamptons. I love her, but I’m giving her the time she needs. She’ll do the [Rolex Central Park Horse Show] next week. I’m very excited about her. Today was a good, hard class but tomorrow will be tougher. I’ll ride Main Road in tomorrow’s grand prix.”
Lorcan Gallagher – $86,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* second place
On Hunters Conlypso II:
“It feels like every show we’ve gone to he’s progressively gotten better and better. The horse has a lot of ability so it’s just about taking our time. It’s great to get a result like this especially at a show like the American Gold Cup.”
On being part of the Sweet Oak Farm team:
“We’re all very close in the barn from the top to the bottom — it’s great. Not often do I get within two-tenths of a second of Shane. I’m a little bit annoyed at myself that I didn’t win it but if I was going to be second to anyone, it’s always best coming second to another Sweet Oak Farm teammate.”
RESULTS
$86,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4*:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / R1 Faults / Time / R2 Faults / Time
1. Indra Van De Oude Heihoef / Shane Sweetnam / IRL / The Blue Buckle Group / 0 / 73.12 / 0 / 39.97
2. Hunters Conlypso II / Lorcan Gallagher / IRL / Dacantos Group / 0 / 75.00 / 0 / 39.99
3. Manodie II H / Georgina Bloomberg / USA / Gotham Enterprizes, LLC / 0 / 73.42 / 0 / 40.47
4. Cocq A Doodle / Andrew Ramsay / USA / The Doodle Group / 0 / 69.80 / 4 / 37.42
5. Gentille Van Spieveld / Leslie Burr-Howard / USA / GJ Stable and Peter Howard / 1 / 76.36
6. Cooper / Devin Ryan / USA / Devin Ryan / 4 / 70.24
7. Freestyle De Muze / Richie Moloney / IRL / Equinimity LLC / 4 / 71.41
8. Austria / Amber Harte / USA / Take The High Road, LLC / 4 / 71.77
9. Bull Run’s Testify / Kristen Vanderveen / USA / Bull Run Jumpers, Inc. / 4 / 72.49
10. Donna Speciale / Leslie Burr-Howard / USA / Laure Sudreau-Rippe and Peter Howard / 4 / 72.61
11. Bull Run’s Almighty / Kristen Vanderveen / USA / Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC / 4 / 73.25
12. Avon / Mattias Tromp / USA / PVRT Equestrian AB / 4 / 73.35
Sydney Shulman Collects Third American Gold Cup Win in $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic
Just prior to the $86,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* was the $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic. Twenty-two-year-old Sydney Shulman has consistently placed at the top of the leaderboard all week with her string of horses including claiming Wednesday’s $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Jumper and Thursday’s $2,500 Beval Saddlery Ltd. 1.35m Jumper.
The young professional athlete took home her third win of the week on Saturday in the $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic, besting 65 horse-and-rider combinations aboard Jill Shulman’s Villamoura.
Only three produced clear performances over Alan Wade and Nigel Jess’ first round track, which consisted of Shulman, Peter Lutz and Georgina Bloomberg.
Bloomberg, who won the same class in 2016 with Manodie II H, set the standard to beat with a 4-fault score in 35.843 seconds with Calista, owned by Gotham Enterprizes, LLC, which would garner them third place in the final standings.
Shulman followed and piloted the 8-year-old Selle-Français mare to the first clear effort of the jump-off in 34.536 seconds. Lutz and QBS Equestrian LLC’s Cheri De Papignies opted for a more conservative round, jumping clear in 38.080 seconds for second place honors.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Sydney Shulman – $35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic winner
On Villamoura:
“[Villamoura] felt great in the schooling ring and was really on it since the minute I got on her this morning. She was ready. She’s a really smart horse. You only have to teach her something once. She’s really come along nicely. This was the biggest class she’s jumped in her career. I was ready to win. This was kind of our goal — she really proved herself today.”
On her plan in the jump-off:
“I didn’t end up sticking to the plan I originally had. She’s a very small horse and quite hot so her stride isn’t massive. She naturally has to be quick across the ground. Coming back on 5B, she slipped pretty badly so it didn’t set us up well to do seven to the double so I did eight. In my mind I knew I had to do six with Peter and his huge-strided horse behind me to the last jump, which I originally planned to do seven. I think doing the eight and then the six in the last line was what sealed the deal.”
On the American Gold Cup:
“It’s a home show. To win a class at the American Gold Cup is really cool. You have some of the best riders in the world here so to go out there and win a class like this is really awesome.”
RESULTS
$35,000 Hermès Sellier Classic:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / Time / R2 Faults / Time
1. Villamoura / Sydney Shulman / Jill Shulman / 0 / 67.925 / 0 / 34.536
2. Cheri De Papignies / Peter Lutz / QBS Equestrian LLC / 0 / 72.379 / 0 / 38.080
3. Calista / Georgina Bloomberg / Gotham Enterprizes, LLC / 0 / 71.338 / 4 / 35.843
4. MTM Como No / Tracy Fenney / MTM Farm / 2 / 74.635
5. Everest / Fabio Leivas Da Costa / Everest Group / 3 / 75.071
6. Sans Soucis Z / Jimmy Torano / Caroline Lloyd / 4 / 68.447
7. Bellefleur PS Z / McLain Ward / McLain Ward, Lilly Ward and Susie Heller / 4 / 69.082
8. Kahlua / Andrew Kocher / Hailey Rogge / 4 / 69.176
9. Cartouche / McLain Ward / Jorge Andres Barrera and McLain Ward / 4 / 69.216
10. Jiva / Beezie Madden / Abigail Wexner / 4 / 69.373
11. D Carolus / Jonathan McCrea / Candy Tribble / 4 / 70.126
12. Tosca De L’Esques / Fabio Leivas Da Costa / Bonne Chance Farm / 4 / 70.679
Cooper Dean and Madison Goetzmann Lead Regions 1 and 2 to Advance to Maclay Finals
The American Gold Cup hosted the Region 1 and 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championships on Saturday, allowing top riders to qualify for the renowned ASPCA Maclay National Championship at the National Horse Show in November. Cooper Dean and Madison Goetzmann guaranteed their spots in the finals, decorated with gold medals, to lead Region 1 and 2, respectively.
The morning began with Region 1, consisting of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, and followed into the afternoon with Region 2, made up of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
A 12-obstacle course separately tested each region in the indoor arena at Old Salem Farm followed by four sections of competition on the flat for Region 1 and three sections for Region 2.
Dean, of Region 1, bested the larger class of 57 starters aboard Heritage Farm’s 8-year-old gelding, Kori D’Oro. Although he calls Alabama home, Dean lives and trains at Heritage Farm in New York as a working student under head trainer Andre Dignelli. In his final junior year at 18 years old, Dean decided to direct all of his focus towards the indoor equitation season, even leaving his working student position with Aaron Vale after his years in the pony jumpers. However, Dean still credits much of his success to Vale who gave him the polish, while “Andre’s done a lot of buffing.”
Fourth in the ring for Region 2, Goetzmann rode Elizabeth Benson’s San Remo VDL to a beautiful round over fences to outride her other 35 competitors and maintained her lead through the flat phase in the final group. The seasoned veteran, San Remo, is an equitation expert at 17 years of age, winning multiple finals at the Washington International Horse Show and Capital Challenge Horse Show with past riders. Goetzmann was able to qualify for Maclay regionals while at WEF this year and just recently teamed up with the Warmblood gelding at the Hampton Classic after spending her summer campaigning in the jumpers in Europe under the tutelage of John and Beezie Madden. She plans to continue her winning streak with San Remo by retaining their partnership through this year’s equitation finals.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Cooper Dean – Region 1 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship winner
On the course:
“I thought it was pretty similar to a finals course. There was a good bit of tests that you had to do in there. This is my fourth time doing regionals and it’s my last year so there was no reason to be nervous. I just wanted to go in there and be confident and execute.”
On Kori D’Oro:
“Since this is his first time doing indoors we are just being cautious of that. Obviously he doesn’t seem to mind. Andre [Dignelli] owns him and lets me ride him and I’m so thankful for that. I started riding him midway through WEF and he qualified me to do the [George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship]. I took him to Devon where we won a class and were third in the Maclay. It just seems like whenever it’s time for him to put on his big boy pants he does. He was doing a little bit of equitation [before], but I think that I’m the first rider to be consistent. He’s got a couple of quirks to him, but he’s pretty perfect for what I need.”
On his working student positions:
“[I’ve been with Heritage Farm] since the middle of February. I used to ride for Aaron Vale and he taught me everything from the get-go. I did pony jumpers when I was little and then he kind of took me under his wing for three years. I really wanted to aim for an equitation final this year. Aaron taught me more than anybody else so I have to give him some thanks.”
Madison Goetzmann – Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship winner
On her plan in the class:
“Knowing that I went early, I wanted to make sure that I did the right strides and execute the course correctly. My overall plan was to make everything smooth and to keep in the back of my head that if there was a small bobble that I should just keep doing the best that I can. The “S” line, the five to the five, is what I noticed got many riders in the Zone 1 regional so that was the main focus of my trip. I wanted to make sure that I executed that very well and did it as smooth as possible and I think that’s what ultimately led to a good result. I knew that I was on top going into the flat.”
On San Remo:
“San Remo was perfect. He just does everything for you. Words can’t really describe what he’s like to ride. This is my third class on him. My first class was at the Hampton Classic and we won that one too. Stacia [Madden] offered me San Remo saying that she thought we’d be a perfect match. I train with John and Beezie [Madden] for the jumpers, and San Remo’s actually been up in Cazenovia all year round. It’s a really great program for him. He gets to be a horse all year round and goes back to Stacia’s barn mid-July to prepare for equitation finals. He’s the finals specialist. I’m very grateful that Stacia gave me the opportunity to ride him. He’s just such a smooth horse. He will do anything you ask of him and he really just has a good heart. He’s a really special horse.”
On transitioning back to equitation after competing in the jumpers in Europe all summer:
“It’s nice to get back to the equitation. I went to [Stacia]’s farm once before going to the Hamptons and we did a boot camp right there. We got some things fixed, but I have John and Beezie on the road with me too. Beezie is a perfectionist. Stacia definitely helped me with a few smaller things — eyes up, heels down, smoothness is everything. I’m grateful that I have her on the side.”
RESULTS
Region 1 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship:
Place / Rider / Horse
1. Cooper Dean / Kori D’Oro
2. Abigail Brayman / Cassini W
3. Ava Stearns / Eclipse
4. Raleigh Hiler / Cantoblanco
5. Ava Ellis / Campreoll
6. Sam Walker / Waldo
7. Emma Fletcher / Conspicuous
8. Coco Fath / Class Action
9. Elli Yeager / Copperfield 39
10. Yasmin Rizvi / Coco Pop
Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship:
Place / Rider / Horse
1. Madison Goetzmann / San Remo VDL
2. Samantha Cohen / Clover
3. Taylor St. Jacques / Charisma
4. Sophee Steckbeck / Curt Z
5. Nina Columbia / Checkland
6. Sara McCloskey / Sting
7. Lauren Lindner / Nino Nacho
8. Devon Thomas / Cordino
9. Taylor Griffiths / Curtis
10. Chloe Wilkenfeld / California W Z
Jumper Champions Crowned on Saturday at American Gold Cup
$10,000 Mitchell-Innes & Nash Fine Art Adult Amateur Classic:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Herault / Elizabeth Rae / Elizabeth Rae / 0 / 0 / 34.393
2. Chivu / Deborah Perkins / Deborah Perkins / 0 / 0 / 34.571
3. Calino-GZ / Anna Whitman Santos / Mindy Whitman / 0 / 0 / 39.057
4. Hector Van Terwest / Joseph Comunale / Joseph Comunale / 0 / 0 / 39.347
5. Triomphe / Ellie Knight / Ellie Knight / 0 / 0 / 44.445
6. Balans RV / Summer Paulos / R.C.G. Farm LLC / 0 / 4 / 37.238
7. Bombadella / Kay Lawson / Kay Lawson / 0 / 4 / 40.865
8. HHS Cheiro / Laura Anderson / Laura Anderson / 0 / 4 / 41.250
9. Casanova / Erin Schiller / Erin Schiller / 0 / 4 / 46.448
10. Dynamic / Ashley Friedland / Ashley Friedland / 0 / 8 / 35.498
Champion: Lindsey Tomeu and Gold Lux
Reserve champion: Elizabeth Rae and Herault
$10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Classic:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Bull Run’s Viola Lee Blue / Joshua Vanderveen / Bull Run Jumpers, Inc. / 0 / 0 / 30.371
2. Pippi / Kaely Tomeu / Siboney Ranch / 0 / 0 / 30.467
3. Euphoria / Ariel Bluman / R.J. Equestrian Group / 0 / 0 / 30.630
4. Jackpot / Andrea Vogel / Andrea Vogal / 0 / 0 / 31.632
5. Corprizia / Samantha Kasowitz / Fair Play Farm / 0 / 0 / 31.778
6. Fifty Fifty 111 / Maria Costa / Ravello Farms, LLC / 0 / 0 / 33.544
7. Upper / David Oberkircher / Southfields Farm LLC / 0 / 0 / 33.603
8. RF Koko Chanel / Katherine Madruga / Katherine Madruga / 0 / 0 / 35.318
9. Wednesday Mornin / Brianne Link / Brianne Link / 0 / 0 / 35.411
10. JK Horsetrucks Chantilly / Dolores Funes / Dolores Funes / 0 / 0 / 35.771
Champion: Joshua Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Viola Lee Blue
Reserve champion: Alexandra Crown and Quentucky Jolly
$10,000 NAL Low Junior Jumper Classic:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Chloe / Anna Beth Athey / Anna Beth Athey / 0 / 0 / 33.76
2. Optimal Hästak / Sedona Chamblee / Sedona Chamblee / 0 / 0 / 34.29
3. Carola BH / Sophie Gochman / Gochman Sport Horse LLC / 0 / 0 / 34.96
4. Bluf BH / Sophie Gochman / Gochman Sport Horse LLC / 0 / 0 / 35.52
5. Kiara M / Charlise Casas / Maarten Huygens / 0 / 0 / 36.71
6. Zarco / Isabella Russekoff / Lexy Reed / 0 / 0 / 37.03
7. Fantasy / Yasmin Rizvi / Gabrielle Bausano / 0 / 0 / 37.90
8. Whistler / McKayla Langmeier / Jane Clark / 0 / 4 / 32.04
9. Triviant / Daisy Farish / Daisy Farish / 0 / 4 / 32.36
10. MTM Icarly / Brian Moggre / MTM Farm / 0 / 4 / 32.57
Champion: Brian Moggre and MTM Icarly
Reserve champion: Anna Beth Athey and Chloe
$5,000 The Gochman Family NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Lilly / Sydney Berube / Shalanno Farms LLC / 0 / 0 / 33.69
2. Don’t Worry / Tessa P. Brown / Dalman Show Jumping / 0 / 0 / 37.18
3. Coignard Katalei / Alexa Schwitzer / Over The Top Stables LLC / 0 / 0 / 38.13
4. Monte Carlo / Elle Haymond / Elle Haymond / 0 / 0 / 38.17
5. Equifit Zaretta / Elle Haymond / Elle Haymond / 0 / 0 / 39.83
6. Carlisco / Stella Stinnett / Wolfstone Stables and Sales Inc. / 0 / 0 / 40.88
7. Uhlane Sainte Odile / Sydney Berube / Sydney Berube / 0 / 4 / 39.12
8. Ludwig’s Luna / Ericka Koscinski / J T Farm / 0 / 4 / 39.23
9. Kina Van De Kornelishoeve / Charlotte Meyers / Blue River Sporthorses LLC / 0 / 4 / 39.45
10. Harakiri Z / Abigail Poss / Jordan Coyle / 0 / 4 / 39.86
Champion: Sydney Berube and Lilly
Reserve champion: Tessa P. Brown and Athletic Lady
