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

Of the 47 entries representing eight countries that competed in Thursday’s $32,000 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase, it was only the second horse-and-rider combination to enter the ring that brought home the win. Israel’s Stella Wasserman and her Myjorka (Mylord Carthago x Quidam's Rubin) set an early time to beat of 26.58 seconds, which ultimately held onto the top of the leaderboard through the rest of the class. 

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) was 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*. 

Course designer Alan Wade challenged the athletes in Thursday’s $32,000 FEI 1.45m Two-Phase with a twisting 15-effort track to kick off the week’s CSI4* division. Pathfinders Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Naomi Van Het Keizershof (Cardento x For Pleasure) were quick and efficient through every turn, posting an early double-clear score of 27.19 seconds. Wasserman and her 11-year-old Hanoverian mare immediately followed, unseating Springsteen in 26.58 seconds and ultimately earning top honors. 

“To be honest, I didn’t think our time would hold with so many others coming after us,” Wasserman said. “We had people like McLain (Ward) and Daniel Bluman, and Charlotte (Jacobs) was very fast today. It was such a strong field that I honestly thought someone was going to beat us, but I’m grateful it was our day." 

“For the gray mare that I won on, this is like her bread and butter,” she continued. “She really excels in classes like this, so I knew I had a good chance as long as I stuck to my plan and executed well. My other horse is preparing for bigger things in the future, so we just wanted to use today as a warmup round. The mare I won on will jump again on Saturday, the other horse will jump tomorrow, and then we’ll go from there.”

Although both Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Daniel Kerins (IRL) proved faster than Wasserman over the second phase, they dropped one rail each to end on four-fault scores with Rebelline De Kwakenbeek (Aganix de Seigneur x Quidam de Revel) and Diacette (Diacontinus x Quinta Real), respectively. 

American Charlotte Jacobs was the only other rider to catch Springsteen’s time without fault, slotting into second place behind Wasserman with her 27.15-second score aboard Cristiano Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x Stakkato), North Star’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding. Springsteen and Stone Hill Farm’s 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare rounded out the podium in third place.