North Salem, New York, USA – September 21, 2024 – Seven Olympic veterans competed in Saturday’s $38,700 Great Oak Speed Stake presented by Old Salem Farm, including Egypt’s Nayel Nassar (EGY), who proved uncatchable aboard Evergate Stables’ 11-year-old Selle Français gelding Dorado de Riverland. The pair were 1.78 seconds faster than their fellow competitors, bringing home the win in a faultless time of 56.71 seconds.
The Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to top Grand Prix stars aboard their elite mounts. Week 1 (September 10-15) was designated CSI4*/2* while Week 2 (September 17-22) is designated CSI3*. Old Salem’s September schedule also includes a National/Level 2 event (September 25-27).
Ten of the 29 entries representing eight countries in the $38,700 Great Oak Speed Stake CSI 3* went clear over Alan Wade’s 14-effort, 1.45m course on Saturday, where Nassar and Dorado de Riverland returned for another 3* victory in the Old Salem Farm International Arena with their blistering time of 56.71 seconds. Earlier this year, they had claimed the win in the $38,700 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase during the first week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows.
“I think I had the advantage today because I was on such an extremely quick horse,” Nassar said. “Dorado, or Rodger as he’s known in the barn, is just really agile. He turns super quick and doesn’t spend much time in the air, so I knew that I was in a bit of an advantageous position. I ended up just wanting to do my own round; sometimes, I end up going too fast and knocking a rail or two down, so today I stuck to my plan. I didn’t actually do many leave-outs, and our numbers just happened to be enough today.
“Generally, if I can leave the jumps up, the horse finishes in the top three,” he added. “I knew even with an extra stride to the last (fence) and without doing the leave-out after the first double, he’d turned everywhere to be efficient enough to be close or even keep the win today, and he was. I’m very happy with him.”
Second-place honors went to Samantha Schaefer (USA) and Bonne Chance’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding James Bond HX (0/58.49).
Olympic silver medalist Jessica Springsteen (USA) took third aboard Carron Nicol’s 8-year-old Selle Français stallion Gmail (0/58.75).
Final Results – $38,700 Great Oak Speed Stake CSI 3*
1) Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Dorado de Riverland – 0 – 56.71
2) Samantha Schaefer (USA) & James Bond HX – 0 – 58.49
3) Jessica Springsteen (USA) & Gmail – 0 – 58.75
Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Old Salem Farm Horse Shows
Photos: © Old Salem Farm / SEL Photography
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Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Africa
