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Ireland's Shane Sweetnam Tops $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi
1.40m Open Jumper Aboard Solerina at
2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W
North Salem, NY - September 11, 2013 - The 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W returned to the picturesque Old Salem Farm today to kick-off the week-long international jumping competition featuring the world's top athletes. Thanks to phenomenal reviews from 2012, a large number of entries created a section split for the day's main event on the Grand Prix Field: the $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Open Jumper class. During the first section, it was Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and Solerina who bested Todd Minikus and Uraguay by three seconds at the end of the class with a quick and clear jump-off. Allison Robatille made a splash in Section B, competing in her first jump-off class since November with her veteran mount Cover Girl, who was just returning from injury, beating Meagan Nusz and Elias by a full second in the tiebreaker.

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Shane Sweetnam and Solerina
Photo by The Book LLC 2013


Ireland's Alan Wade designed two tracks for the day's feature class, each winding throughout the large field and including multiple bending lines as well a vertical-oxer double combination, and an oxer-vertical double combination. With over 40 competitors in each class, it came down to speed and accuracy in the jump-off. Fifteen horses showed over the short course in the first section, which began at the far end of the field and used the oxer-vertical double combination, as well as multiple places to slice fences and finished over an oxer towards the gate.  

Todd Minikus was only the fourth athlete to compete aboard Uraguay, owned by Legacy Stables of Princeton, NJ, but he set the target early in the class. After a faultless round, they managed to mimic the clear effort during the jump-off, making inside turns and breaking the beam at 32.773 seconds.  

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Todd Minikus and Uraguay
Photo by The Book LLC 2013


Ten rounds later, Sarah Segal made a bid for the win with Ubris, owned by Chartwell of Flemington, NJ. Although they managed to leave all the fences in tact and leave a stride out to the last fence, their time of 34.273 fell just shy of the leader and they took home fourth place. Meagan Nusz of Houston, TX, was right on Segal's heels, piloting Waomi to a clear time of 34.763 for the fifth place honors.

 

Roberto Teran missed Minikus' time by just 2/10ths of a second riding Woklahoma for the Ark Partners of Wellington, FL. They also posted a clear round, but crossed the finish in line in 32.992 seconds for the third place award.

 

Shane Sweetnam was one of the final competitors to show in the first section, but his experienced mount Solerina was ready to win. They had a strong gallop to the first three fences, only steadying for the double combination before slicing the final vertical and leaving a stride out to the last oxer. The duo blazed across the finish line in 29.770 seconds, jumping straight to the top of the leader board and leading the victory gallop.

 

"I think I was quick enough from one, two and three and then I took a little time to the double," explained Sweetnam. "Then I just let go and went across to the second to last and I knew if I got a good shot there, that I'd have a chance to do the one less to the last. She's got quite a big stride and she doesn't spend too much time in the air. In the second round I know she can be quick enough to be lucky enough to keep all the jumps up."

 

Owned by Spy Coast Farm and Sweet Oak Farm, Solerina is a 14-year-old Irish Sporthorse mare by Cruising that Sweetnam began riding last year. After winning the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, Solerina used a month of working at home to come out fresh and ready for a victory.

 

"I think since I've had her she nearly picks up a win in every class, so her results are phenomenal," smiled Sweetnam. "She's got a little bit of character, but her results make up for it. She'll do two of the four indoors next. Last year she had a good indoors and I know her better this year, so I think she'll have a good one again this year."

 

Sweetnam was happy to return to the 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W noting, "Michael Morrissey and the staff do a great job here. It gets better every year. It's great money and the footing looks to be so much better this year. They're trying to upgrade it and make it a really good four-star show. I appreciate it and all the other riders appreciate it."

 

In the second section of the $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Open Jumper, fourteen horses advanced to the short course. This time the jump-off was held opposite of the in-gate, beginning with a sharp rollback from a single vertical to a single oxer, and finishing with a double combination to a final wide-oxer.

 

Only five athletes posted double clear efforts, the first coming from Lauren Tisbo of Wellington, FL, and Darconscheefkasteel Z. The pair stopped the timers at 31.227, which would be good enough for fourth place. Judy Garaofalo Torres of Wellington, FL, and Quattro Queen were the slowest of the double clears for fifth place.

 

Megan Nusz scored another top placing for Amalaya Investments, this time piloting Elias to a clear round in 31.084 seconds, which captured the second place honors. Hillary Simpson was just a fraction away from Nusz's time with Chinwies BZ, owned by Palmyra Partners LLC of Southern Pines, NC. Their faultless round clocked in at 31.149 seconds for third place.

 

Allison Robatille and Cover Girl produced the fast clear jump-off. Despite today's class marking Cover Girl's first jump-off after sustaining an injury in November, the mare proved that she was in top form.  Utalizing her mare's large stride, Robatille picked up a quick pace to first fence, slicing the rollback, and then quickly making it towards the next two fences.

 

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Allison Robatille and Cover Girl
 Photo by Rebecca Walton

 

"Cover Girl is an amazing horse," expressed Robatille. "She got injured last November after winning the Nations Cup in Buenos Aires. I've been slowly bringing her back. I showed her at Spruce Meadows and she did 1.10m and 1.20m, and did her first 1.45m class at the Hampton Classic. This was the first time I felt like she was ready to do two rounds in a row."

 

Robatille continued, "Now that she is back jumping, I have needed to make myself put the injury behind us and just ride her like I normally would, so I am not being too cautious and too careful. I love her so much, so it's hard."

 

This is Robatille's first return to Old Salem Farm since her days in the Junior Hunters, but after hearing rave reviews from last year's event she was excited to show at the international jumping competition. "It's beautiful," she commented. "I heard great things last year and I am really impressed."

 

In the $2,500 1.35m Open Jumpers held in the Jumper Ring, winning honors were presented to Roberto Teran and ADC Chef, owned by Richview Farm of Nobleton, Ontario. The duo completed a clear short course in 34.156 seconds, while Charlie Jayne and Speedy Chicolina, owned by Anna Murphy of De Pere, WI, clocked in at 35425 seconds for the second place award. Candice King and VDL Dogan picked up the third place honors, leaving all the fences intact and breaking the bream at 36,499 seconds for owner Bellissimo LLC of Wellington, FL.

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Roberto Teran and ADC Chef Photo by The Book LLC 2013 

The first class of the day was the $2,000 1.30m Open Jumpers with 69 entries. Kent Farrington came out on top, piloting Monopoly to the winning honors for Salamander Farms of The Plains, VA. The pair's clear effort broke the beam at 32.439 seconds, while Guillermo Williams' time of 33.322 seconds with Marbella, owned by El Milagro of Dallas, TX, was good enough for second. Paul Halpern and Royal Flush, owned by Kathleen Kamine of Oldwick, NJ, rounded out the top three, completing a spotless jump-off in 34.523 seconds.

 

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Kent Farrington and Monopoly
Photo by The Book LLC 2013

 

The 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W will continue tomorrow with the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake, as well as the $3,000 High Junior/Amatur-Owner Jumpers, presented by Gotham North. Highlight throughout the week include Friday's $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier, presented by Double H Farm & Windsor Show Stables, the $50,000 Herm�s Classic and Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships on Saturday, and Sunday's $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W World Cup Qualifier, presented by Suncast.

 

For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com and http://www.theamericangoldcup.com/

 

About the American Gold Cup  

The American Gold Cup will feature world-class and Olympic athletes, such as current World Cup Show Jumping Champion Beezie Madden and Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. Also confirmed to compete are show jumping mega-stars Kent Farrington, Margie Engle, Pan American Games Gold Medalist Christine McCrea and many more, all vying to secure their position at the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals in Lyon, France.

 

Highlights of the schedule include the $33,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake on Thursday, the $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier presented by Double H Farm and Windsor Show Stables on Friday and the $50,000 Hermes Classic on Saturday. The featured event, the coveted $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013

and broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. EST.  

 

The American Gold Cup will also feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus Young Jumpers and Open Jumpers. New this year, the Zone 2 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships will be held on Saturday in the Old Salem Farm indoor arena.  

 

Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, an historic pristine grass Grand Prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world's most quaint and picturesque competition venue settings. For the past two years, the Old Salem Farm competitions have been recognized by the North American Riders Group (NARG) on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.

 

For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com and http://www.theamericangoldcup.com/.

 

Results 

 

Class 10 A $8,000 DANBURY PORSCHE AUDI 1.40

1    148    SOLERINA     SHANE SWEETNAM     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    29.770       

2    116    URAGUAY     TODD MINIKUS     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    32.773       

3    397    WOKLAHOMA     ROBERTO TERAN     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    32.992       

4    1    UBRIS     SARAH SEGAL     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    34.273       

5    323    WAOMI     MEAGAN NUSZ     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    34.763       

6    366    BRUGAL VDL     JONATHAN MCCREA     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    35.138       

7    326    CAMBITO     PAIGE JOHNSON     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.168       

8    181    CORONA 93     LAUREN TISBO     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.690       

9    681    WIN FOR LIFE 111 Z     CHRISTINE MCCREA     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    37.207       

10    508    SCOUT DE LA CENSE     MARIO DESLAURIERS     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    38.240       

11    648    WILLOW     KENT FARRINGTON     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    41.781       

12    178    ROUNDTHORN MADIOS     LAUREN TISBO     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    33.714

 

Class 105B, $8,000 DANBURY PORSCHE AUDI 1.40

1    473    COVER GIRL 27     ALISON ROBITAILLE     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    29.949       

2    324    ELIAS     MEAGAN NUSZ     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    31.084       

3    101    CHINWIES BZ     HILLARY SIMPSON     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    31.149       

4    179    DARCONSCHEEFKASTEEL Z     LAUREN TISBO     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    31.227       

5    645    QUATTRO QUEEN     JUDY GAROFALO TORRES     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    32.904       

6    2    RAMSES     SARAH SEGAL     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    29.730       

7    96    CZARDAS 30     ILAN FERDER     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    30.358       

8    443    TOP GUN IV     DARRAGH KENNY     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    30.803       

9    583    WAYFARER     PETER LEONE     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    32.017       

10    192    SPEEDY CHICOLINA     CHARLIE JAYNE     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    33.601       

11    44    UATA     BRIANNE GOUTAL     0    0    0    0.000    8    0    8    29.722       

12    79    HARLEY 86     BENJAMIN MEREDITH     0    0    0    0.000    8    0    8    32.175   

 

Class 107, $2500 1.35 TIME FIRST JUMP-OFF 2(b)     

1    399    ADC CHEF     ROBERTO TERAN     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    34.156       

2    192    SPEEDY CHICOLINA     CHARLIE JAYNE     0    0    0    69.700    0    0    0    35.425       

3    35    VDL DOGAN     CANDICE KING     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.499       

4    410    Z EMPRESS     NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.722       

5    153    BALDEV     SHANE SWEETNAM     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    37.953       

6    286    O' VOL DE LA ROQUE     SAMANTHA RAMSAY     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    40.710       

7    281    FLAMINGO K     RICHIE MOLONEY     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    34.841       

8    114    ROMEO     TODD MINIKUS     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    36.086       

9    596    VANTINA HPF     LINDA SHERIDAN     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    36.619       

10    34    COMBINA     CANDICE KING     0    0    0    0.000    4    0    4    38.318       

11    638    CASALLO 4     QUENTIN JUDGE     0    0    0    72.000    8    22    30    63.400       

12    293    LINCOURT GINO     MOLLY ASHE-CAWLEY     0    0    0    65.000              Withdr     

 

Class 109, $2000 1.30 TIME FIRST JUMP-OFF 2(b)

1    328    MONOPOLY     KENT FARRINGTON     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    32.439   

2    18    MARBELLA     GUILLERMO WILLIAMS     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    33.322   

3    73    ROYAL FLUSH     PAUL HALPERN     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    34.523   

4    190    CHELLANDO Z     JENNIFER GRIFFITHS     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    34.546

5    586    ALIAS     PETER LEONE     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    35.311   

6    189    CAPACITY     JENNIFER GRIFFITHS     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    35.448   

7    410    Z EMPRESS     NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    35.738

8    307    CLEARFOX AS WELL     JEFFERY WELLES     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    35.913   

9    624    WYSTERIA     KYLE TIMM     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.159   

10    514    ZUBANTOS     BLAIR WILLMER     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.213   

11    368    CLASS ACT     LINDA LANGMEIER     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.283

12    32    VDL MALEKLOU     CANDICE KING     0    0    0    0.000    0    0    0    36.556


43rd Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts

 

What: The $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W

 

When: September 11-15, 2013

 

Where: Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY

 

Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday - Saturday with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon

Sunday: Gates open at 11 a.m. with family activities with the The $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W at 2 p.m.

 

Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State's Westchester County's premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.

 

Parking:

Available on the grounds

 

Directions:

From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take Interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.

 

Information:

Before Show - before 9/6/13 (941) 744-5465, (800) 237-8924

During Show - (914) 669-5610 ext 201

Stable Office - (941) 744-5465

Prize List Advertising - (941) 744-5465

Trade Fair - Matt Morrissey (941) 915-3457

Website - http://www.theamericangoldcup.com/ 

 

Results:

Results are available at www.ShowNet.biz.
Coverage of American Gold Cup will be provided by ShowNet to the USEF Network at:
http://usefnetwork.com/.

 

Televised Broadcast: The 2013 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

 

Tickets:

Weekdays: Admission is free to the public

Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $15 per person, $10 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.

Gates open at:

Wednesday - Saturday: 8 a.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m.

Tickets are available at the gate and online at www.theamericangoldcup.com 

 

Jockey Club

The Jockey Club offers full service gourmet cuisine and beverages for tables of six and eight. Click here to reserve your Jockey Club table. New this year, The American Gold Cup is adding luxury suites for parties of 10 or more on the second floor of the Jockey Club. For more information and to reserve your American Gold Cup luxury suite, contact Matt Morrissey at: matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com.

 

Charity Partners:

JustWorld International

http://www.justworldinternational.org/ 

 

ASPCA

http://www.aspca.org/ 

 

Sponsorship Opportunities:

April Wehle

561.459.9259

 aprilw@stadiumjumping.com 

 

Connie Sawyer

518.461.6288

 

Advertising Opportunities:

Mary Silcox 800-237-8924

 

Ring dimensions and footing:

Grand Prix Field 350'x450', footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200'x250', Schooling 130'x170'. Jumper Annex 146'x307', Schooling 155'x173'. Indoor 115'x195', Schooling 74'x135'. Hunter 138'x243', Schooling 108'x158'. Footing in all arenas is all- weather German-designed fiber and sand.

 

Hotels:

Official Hotel of the American Gold Cup

Danbury Crown Plaza

http://danburyplaza-px.trvlclick.com/ 

(877) 270 1393 

Ridgefield, CT

West Lane Inn (203) 438-7323

Brewster, NY 5-10 min

Heidi's Motel (845) 279-8011

Mt. Kisco, NY 5-10 min

Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600

Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds

Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000

Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800

Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600

Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776

Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333

Residence Inn (203) 797-1256

 

Management:

Stadium Jumping, Inc

1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406

Bradenton, FL 34205

Tel: (941) 744-5465 Fax: (941) 744-0874

 

Sponsors:

 

Suncast

http://storage.suncast.com/ 

 

Danbury Porsche

http://danbury.porschedealer.com 

 

Danbury Audi

http://www.danburyaudi.com/ 

 

Hermes

http://usa.hermes.com/ 


Double H

http://www.doublehfarm.org/ 

 

Windsor Show Stables

http://www.windsorshowstables.com/ 

 
Mitchell Innes & Nash Fine Art
 
Purina Animal Nutrition

Don Little Memorial


Jeffrey Terreson Fine Art


Roberto Coin

http://us.robertocoin.com/ 


Ariat

http://www.ariat.com/ 

 

THIS

 

Devoucoux

http://www.devoucoux.com/devoucoux_fr/contenu/us/index.php

 

Skiffingtons LLC

 

Dyer Equestrian

http://dyerequestrian.com/

 

Samshield

http://www.samshield.com/

 

Stronghold Equine

http://strongholdequineequipment.com/

 

Animo

http://theanimoexperience.com/

 

Der Dau

http://www.derdau.com/

 

Trelawney Farm

http://www.trelawnyfarm.com/

 

Aden Brook

http://www.adenbrook.com/hay/

 

The Dutta Corporation

http://timdutta.com/

 

Coca-Cola

http://us.coca-cola.com/

 

Farm Vet

http://www.farmvet.com/

 

Houlihan Lawrenece

http://www.houlihanlawrence.com/

 

ESI Footing

http://www.equestrianservicesinternational.com/esi/

 

DJ Johnson

http://www.johnsonhorsetransportation.com/

 

GiGi New York

http://www.giginewyork.com/

 

Media Sponsors:

Equestrian Quarterly

http://equestrianquarterly.com/

 

Morris Media Group

 

Horse & Style Magazine

http://horseandstylemag.com/

  

Media Contact:

Phelps Media Group, Inc.

12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414

Tel: 561.753.3389  Fax: 561.753.3386

 pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com 

 www.phelpsmediagroup.com 

 

 

 

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