This is a big weekend for sports fan in WAG country as the US Open and Greenwich Polo Club seasons come to a close. Among the events you won’t want to miss is the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W 3 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem. The Gold Cup – which features junior, amateur and children’s jumper competitions this week – culminates Sunday, Sept. 13 in the $215,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping New York. The event is part of the recently created Longines FEI World Cup Jumping North American League and is one of the first qualifiers for the 2015 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final.
Fourteen countries will be represented by the riders at the Gold Cup, including past winners, rising talent and international contenders. Andre Thieme made the trip from Germany to New York to make an early bid at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final with his string of FEI horses.
“With more and more FEI events being offered in the U.S., I am pleased to able to spend more time competing here,” Thieme, who winters in Florida, said in a statement. “Old Salem Farm is a top facility, not only in the U.S., but the world. I am excited to be a part of newly formed North American League and hope that I can get some early leverage towards qualifying for the 2105 Final.”
That’s music to Old Salem Farm’s ears.
“The American Gold Cup is a highlight for Old Salem Farm each year and to be included in the North American League has made the event even more special for riders, spectators and the local economy as a whole,” said Alan Bietsch, the Farm’s manager. “To see more international-level events call the U.S. home is a great thing for horse sport, and Old Salem Farm is honored to be part of that movement.”
While spectators local to Old Salem Farm will have the opportunity to enjoy family fun, special events, equine-related boutiques and top equestrian athletes in the flesh, fans from all over the world can watch the action via live streaming through the morning of Sept.13. Tickets and streaming for the American Gold Cup are available at www.theamericangoldcup.com.
The $215,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping New York, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, will be available on FEI TV . Click here to subscribe to FEI TV. NBC Sports Network will also air the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W on Monday, Sept. 14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
In the days following the American Gold Cup, Open and Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper riders will have the opportunity to compete on the same field as some of the world’s best. From Sept. 25 through 27, Old Salem Farm will host national level competition and welcome riders of varying levels.
In addition to jumper offerings, hunter and equitation classes will highlight the schedule. For more information on the Sept. 25-27 event, click here.
And for more on how equestrian sports transcend age and gender and on equestrian fashion, check out WAG’s August and September issues respectively at wagmag.com. – edited by Georgette Gouveia
