Press release from Old Salem Farm, edited by World of Showjumping

McKayla Langmeier (USA) took the crown in Thursday’s $32,000 FEI 1.45m two-phase to kick off the CSI3* competition at the 2026 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, racing to victory in 24.29 seconds aboard Pepita VD Rollebeek (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Toulon). The pair was picture perfect over Alan Wade’s winding 15-effort track to best a field of 50 entries representing eight nations. 

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, one of the premier stops on the nation’s hunter-jumper horse show circuit, offers a full schedule of USEF and FEI events, May 5-10 and May 12-17. The Spring Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to Olympic veterans, such as local hero McLain Ward (USA), Daniel Bluman (ISR), Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), aboard their grand prix mounts. Week 1 (May 5-10) is USEF ‘National-6’ rated for hunters and jumpers and designated FEI CSI3*; Week 2 (May 12-17) is USEF ‘Premier-6’ rated and designated FEI CSI4*. 

After going early in the order for Thursday’s $32,000 FEI 1.45m two-phase, three-time Olympian and World #14 Daniel Bluman (ISR) set a blazing time to beat at 25.08 seconds aboard his veteran mount Gemma W (Luidam x Unaniem), which held onto the top of the leaderboard through most of the class. Then Langmeier and Rafferty Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare entered the arena among the last 10 competitors, breaking the 25-second barrier and ultimately bringing home the win in 24.29 seconds. 

“The plan today was to go for it,” Langmeier said. “I knew I had a very big stride, and my horse is quite deceivingly fast. She may not look it, but then you look at the clock, and you’re like, ‘Whoa!’ I think that definitely showed up today."

“I’ve had this mare since she was seven,” she continued. “I’ve developed her into jumping the 1.60m, but she’s really taken her niche in these classes where she can just go fast.” Pepita will be joined by Langmeier’s other mount, Isidore De Chalusse (Clarimo x Vigo d'Arsouilles), in contesting the rest of the CSI3*. 

Mark Bluman (COL) was the only other rider to catch Daniel’s time, returning to the ring as the penultimate entry aboard S&L Eyes 4U (Jenny de la Cense x Kannan GFE), S & L Farms’ 8-year-old Selle Français mare. The pair earned second place for their blistering 24.92-second effort. Daniel and Over The Top Stables LLC’s 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare landed in third, while Mark also brought home fourth for his double-clear time of 25.45 seconds aboard S&L Haquinsa (Sandro Boy x Quintero), S & L Farms’ 11-year-old Holsteiner mare.  

U.S. Olympic veteran Jessica Springsteen rounded out the top five aboard Naomi Van Het Keizershof (Cardento x For Pleasure), a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Stone Hill Farm (0/0/25.88).