Holly Orlando and William Hill Capture Grand Hunter Championship

Press Release Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows – Holly Orlando won every class in the Green Conformation Hunter Division aboard catch ride, William Hill, to earn the Grand Hunter Championship at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Highlighting jumper action on the Grand Prix Field on Wednesday, Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Skara Glen’s Presence won the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m.

Orlando, who hails from Wellington, FL, had not sat on William Hill before Monday, but got the ride for his owners, the Hymowitz Family of Rose Hill Farm. The six-year-old Warmblood gelding is regularly piloted by Scott Stewart in the Green Conformation division, as well as owner Lilli Hymowitz in the Small Junior Hunter division.

“I was really lucky to get to ride him, without knowing much about him. All I know for sure is what a nice horse he is,” said Orlando. “He is a blast to ride, tries hard, and was perfectly prepared. He’s one of those horses that, as soon as you get on, you know you’re going to like.”

After only one school earlier in the week, Orlando kicked off the division by winning the model and under saddle on Tuesday before earning the top spot in all four classes over fences, including Wednesday’s handy round. “Winning the model is always a nice place to start,” smiled Orlando. “Over fences, I loved that I could gallop along on him. I didn’t know that much about him for the handy, but I took a little bit of a shot at it and he sliced the trot jump and was scopey and game.”

Stewart imported William Hill during the summer of 2014 before the Hymowitz Family purchased him in Florida this February under the direction of trainer Jane Ehrhart.

“Scott brought him up and developed him before we purchased him, and he’s always been a calm cucumber,” said Ehrhart. “He’s a little bit of a shy horse, but he’s never scared of the ring and has always been really consistent for us. We are excited about him, and we were very lucky to have Holly take over the reins for the week.”

After leaving Old Salem Farm, Ehrhart plans for William Hill to head to Devon and then focus on qualifying for indoors this fall with both Scott and Lilli in the irons.

Patricia Griffith and Fetching, owned by Lexi Maounis, were reserve champions in the Green Conformation division. They picked up second place finishes behind Orlando in every class.

Wednesday’s hunter competition wrapped the divisions counting towards the $5,000 Leading Hunter Rider Award, which was presented to Louise Serio after her consistent performances throughout the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. This week alone, she collected 13 blue ribbons, all contributing to the 235 points that crowned her leading rider.

Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence Take a Chance on $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m

Paul O’Shea (IRL) had not taken the opportunity to test the speed of Skara Glen’s Presence before Wednesday’s 1.40m, but the stallion was quick to prove he has what it takes to win in the jumper ring. O’Shea and the eight-year-old Holsteiner he owns with Skara Glen bested 49 horses in the immediate jump-off class over courses by Alan Wade (IRL).

“I normally don’t go fast on him, but today he felt good, so we went for it,” said O’Shea. “There is no harm for them to go fast sometimes to learn how to do it, and he really responded well. He listened and did it like it was easy.”

O’Shea has plans for Skara Glen’s Presence to be a top contender for ribbons at the grand prix level and is off to a great start. “He’s got such a huge stride and is always thinking about where the fences are,” said O’Shea. “He has everything that’s needed; he’s very brave, very scopey, and very careful. That all makes my job a little easier. ”

While Skara Glen’s Presence’s big stride gave O’Shea a significant advantage, they were also fast, stopping the clock double clear in 35.999 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) and Gentille van Spieveld, owned by GJ Stables & Peter Howard, claimed second in 37.441 seconds, while Jeffery Welles (USA) and Calais took third in 37.441 seconds for owners Sharon Gunthel and Triton Ventures. Lauren Tisbo (USA) was fourth in the irons of Coriandolo di Ribano for Tequestrian Farms, LLC in 38.896 seconds, and Maggie McAlary (USA) capped the top five for Double H Farm aboard HH Ciske van Overis with a time of 40.376 seconds.

O’Shea, who is based out of Whipstick Farm in South Salem, NY, brought Skara Glen’s Presence to the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows to gain valuable experience on the grass Grand Prix Field. But, this venue also serves as an anniversary of sorts for O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence. The stallion first caught O’Shea’s eye as a six-year-old while competing at the American Gold Cup with pervious owner, Derek Braun.

“This is a great place to show for any horse, but the young ones really do well here,” said O’Shea. “The ground is really good, and the horses are able to learn a lot.”

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows continue through Sunday, May 22, highlighted by the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development, and the $35,000 Speed Derby of North Salem, presented by TownVibe. Thursday’s competition will see a $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m and $5,000 Under 25 Jump 1.45m for jumpers, and the crowning of Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion.

Final Results: $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
1 SKARA GLEN’S PRESENCE: 2008 Holsteiner stallion by Contendro x Nekton
Paul O’Shea (IRL), Paul O’Shea & Skara Glen: 0/0/35.999
2 GENTILLE VAN SPIEVELD: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker x Capital
Leslie Howard (USA), GJ Stables & Peter Howard: 0/0/37.441
3 CALAIS: 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Ultimo
Jeffery Welles (USA), Sharon Gunthel/Triton Ventures: 0/0/37.847
4 CORIANDOLO DI RIBANO: 2007 Sella Italiano stallion by Cassini II x Baldini
Lauren Tisbo (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/0/38.896
5 HH CISKE VAN OVERIS: 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare by Celano x Darco
Maggie McAlary (USA), Double H Farm: 0/0/40.376
6 ARISTOTELES V: 2005 KWPN stallion by Padinus x Lux
Jonathan McCrea (USA), Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables: 0/0/42.710
7 CORLIDA: 2006 Oldenburg mare by Cornet Obolensky x Calido
Nicholas Dello Joio (USA), The Corlida Group: 0/0/43.907
8 CLEARWATER: 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Clearway x Come On
Marilyn Little (USA), Karen O’Connor: 0/4/35.539
9 CARLANDA 5: 2007 Holsteiner mare by Cassini I x Silvester
Lauren Tisbo (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/4/36.053
10 HH BEST BUY: 2007 Holsteiner mare by Baloubet D. RO x Cassini I
McLain Ward (USA), Double H Farm: 0/4/37.077
11 PAOLA 233: 2007 Westphalian mare by Ponitfex x Up To Date
Patricia Griffith (USA), Emily Perez: 0/4/39.240
12 HH FYLOE: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Burggraaf x Heartbreaker
Quentin Judge (USA), Double H Farm: 0/4/39.498

Stay on top of all things Old Salem Farm this spring with all-day live streaming of the Grand Prix Field Friday through Sunday at www.oldsalemfarm.net.

Full horse show results can be found at horseshowsonline.com.

Source Press Release: Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows