On a warm, picture-perfect day at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, seven riders had flawless runs going into the jump-off for the $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup New York, otherwise known as the American Gold Cup. It would come down to the last rider. If Karl Cook, aboard the gray gelding Cailliou, could have a clean run just fast enough, he would win.
But in the end Elizabeth Madden– the four-time Olympic medalist known as “Beezie” – would not be denied. Aboard the chestnut gelding Garant, she took the top prize, with Cook finishing second. Katherine A. “Katie” Dinan, who threw down a strong run aboard the bay gelding Brego R’ n B to lead off the jump-off, finished third for an American sweep.
Among those on hand to cheer on the competitors was former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg — whose daughter Georgina, aboard the bay mare Quibelle, was also flawless though not quite fast enough to make the jump-off; former Old Salem trainer (and Beezie brother-in-law) Frank Madden; Scott Hakim, owner with father Kamran of Old Salem Farm; and Alan Bietsch, Old Salem’s facilities manager.
For more, visit theamericangoldcup.com and oldsalemfarm.net.
– Georgette Gouveia
