Christina Firestone and Arwen Top $5,000 Under 25 1.45m

Christina Firestone and Arwen. (Photo: The Book LLC)

North Salem, New York – Christina Firestone (USA) of Wellington, FL, and Arwen, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, were the fastest pair in an immediate jump-off on Thursday to win the $5,000 Under 25 1.45m, presented by T & R Development at the Old Salem Farm Horse Show. They stopped the clock in 31.919 seconds for the win.

Juan Salgado (MEX) and Hector V.D. Papendijk were second for owner Alejandro Zendejas in 32.567 seconds, while Stephen Moore (IRL) and Team de Coquerie, owned by Teddy Vlock Show Stables, took third in 35.941 seconds.

Madison Goetzmann (USA) and her own Wrigley were fourth with a four-fault jump-off round in 31.486 seconds, and Mattias Tromp (USA) rounded out the top five aboard Triomphe Z with four faults in 33.289 seconds for Beyaert Farm, Inc.

Friday's class represented the introduction of Under 25 competition at the Old Salem Farm Horse Shows. The class was added to the 2016 schedule in an effort to give young riders a division to help advance them from the junior divisions to the grand prix level.

Firestone has competed in Under 25 classes in Florida and was pleased to have the opportunity again at Old Salem Farm.

“These events give our age group a new division to show in instead of having to turn professional as soon as we turn 18,” said Firestone, who is a junior at Lynn University majoring in Environmental Studies.

“It's nice to compete against people at my level, but the classes are always tough enough so we can experience the bigger heights without having to compete against the professionals.”

Arwen is a homebred mare bred by her owners and Firestone's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone. The mare came back to showing over the winter after a tendon injury sidelined her for a year.

Christina Firestone and Arwen in their winner's presentation with Rob Gray of T & R Development. (Photo: The Book LLC)

“I started riding her when she was seven, and she had only jumped 1.20m at that point. We never thought she was going to jump big jumps, but continued to impress us as she got older,” said Firestone. “We grew up together, and I like how hot and competitive she is. She's always game when she walks in the ring and gives it her all every time.”

Firestone, along with her fellow Under 25 riders, will now turn her focus to the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development, taking place on Saturday.

The Grand Prix Field will continue Open Jumper competition with the $6,500 Open Jumper 1.35m on Friday before the $35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem takes the stage at 1 pm.

Final Results: $5,000 Under 25 1.45m, presented by T & R Development
1 ARWEN: 2005 Dutch Warmblood mare by Indoctro x Olisco Christina Firestone (USA), Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone: 0/0/31.919
2 HECTOR V.D. PAPENDIJK: 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor van de Mispelaere x Rabiat Z Juan Salgado (MEX), Alejandro Zendejas: 0/0/32.567
3 TEAM DE COQUERIE: 2007 Selle Francais gelding by Heartbreaker x Papillon Rogue Stephen Moore (IRL), Vlock Show Stables, LLC: 0/0/35.941
4 WRIGLEY: 2003 Dutch Warmblood mare by Padinus x Burggraaf Madison Goetzmann (USA), Madison Goetzmann: 0/4/31.486
5 TRIOMPHE Z: 2007 Zangersheide gelding by Triomphe de Muze x Celano Mattias Tromp (USA), Beyaert Farm, Inc.: 0/4/33.289
6 VENICE: 2005 Swedish Warmblood mare by Cardento x Stanford Sydney Shulman (USA), Jill Shulman: 0/4/34.106
7 CASPER: 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento x Robin Z Ailish Cunniffe (USA), Whipstick Farm: 0/4/36.394
8 BELUGA: 2006 Dutch Warmblood mare by Cardento Danielle Menker (USA), Emily Wygod: 4/73.679
9 QUIDAM 13: 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding by Bogegardens Quarttro x Carano Sydney Shulman (USA), Jill Shulman: 4/76.503
10 DOLLAR VAN T EIGENLO DH: 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Heartbreaker x Nabab de Reve Anna Cardelfe (USA), Anna Cardelfe: 4/77.163
11 CAYENNE 140: 2003 Westphalian gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Calido Victoria Press (USA), Victoria Press: 4/78.013
12 COTTICA II RV: 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare by Verdi x Wolfgang Juan Salgado (MEX), Alejandro Zendejas: 8/72.605

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows offer more than $500,000 in divisions ranging from ponies and equitation to Under 25 and top FEI competition. General admission to Old Salem Farm is free Wednesday through Friday during the Spring Horse Shows.

On the weekend of May 21-22, which features the $130,000 Empire State CSI 3* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, on Sunday, May 22, admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12.

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.