Edited press release from Old Salem Farm

Two Irishmen claimed top honors in the first two international classes at the 2024 Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows on Thursday, with each class featuring over 40 entries representing eight countries. Old Salem kicked off its FEI division with the $10,000 FEI 4* 1.45m two-phase presented by Eastern Hay, where Olympic veteran Darragh Kenny piloted Serendepety (Stolzenberg x Escudo I) to the win in a speedy double-clear time of 25.36 seconds. 

Kenny is no stranger to the podium at Old Salem Farm, especially with Beerbaum Stables GMBH’s 9-year-old Hanoverian mare. On Thursday, the pair bested a field of 41 starters over Ken Krome’s 14-effort, 1.45m course in the $10,000 FEI 4* two-phase. 

“Serendepety is a really fast mare,” Kenny said. “She’s really stepped up to the 1.45/1.50m level, and I just had a bit of fun with her today. She’s super quick across the ground and really light, and I just had to turn back in a couple of places for the time. She was great."

“She’ll jump the 1.45m class again on Saturday,” he added. “My other horses, Rockstar and Chaccoletto, will jump the 1.50m tomorrow, then Rockstar will jump the (Blue Diamond Cup) on Sunday.” 

Earning second place was Zayna Rizvi (USA), who tripped the timers in 26.21 seconds aboard Flying Z LLC’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Oryzon Van Het Schaeck (Zirocco Blue VDL x Vagabond de La Pomme). Third went to Will Simpson (USA) with his 26.40-second time aboard Will Simpson Stables Inc.’s 15-year-old Mecklenburg gelding Chacco P (Chacco-Blue x Cellestial).