Articles: Horse News

Great Win for Old Salem Farm's Brian Walker and Great Pleasure

Brian Walker and Old Salem Farm's Great Pleasure on course to victory in the $25,000 Equestrian Properties AT Benefit Grand Prix in Wellington, FL. Photo Credit: James Parker.

Contact:
Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810, info@classic-communications.com

North Salem, NY - January 14, 2010- Brian Walker, the head trainer at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, started the new year out right by winning the $25,000 Equestrian Properties AT Benefit Grand Prix in Wellington, FL, this past weekend.

Walker and Great Pleasure, an 11-year-old KWPN Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Old Salem Farm, bested a starting field of 19 horse-and-rider combinations for the win. The pair went clear in the first round, advancing to the jump-off with rider Richard Moloney and his mount Brooke Van De Zuuthoeve. Moloney entered the ring first for the jump-off, but knocked down a rail at the third jump of the Dave Ballard designed course, finishing with a time of 37.954 seconds and 4 jumping faults.

Walker and Great Pleasure put in their second clear round of the day in the jump-off, finishing with a time of 39.688 to secure the win. Walker began riding Great Pleasure in mid-September when he moved to Old Salem Farm. Though the pair has been training together for a few months, this was Walker's second time showing the horse.

Two days before their Grand Prix win, Walker and Great Pleasure, who is known as Ramon around the barn, finished second out of 23 horse-and-rider combinations in the $10,000 Equestrian Services International Welcome Stake, also in Wellington, FL.

"Following the Welcome Stake, I was really looking forward to the Grand Prix," said Walker. "Ramon (Great Pleasure) felt great, and I was really excited to get back into the ring and show everybody how amazing he is. It's been an absolute pleasure to ride this horse and represent Old Salem Farm, and I am looking forward to a successful show season."

Old Salem Farm is located one hour north of New York City. In addition to its year-long horse show series that includes more than 20 horse shows in addition to its flagship spring horse shows, it maintains state-of-the-art stabling facilities for year-round boarding. Old Salem Farm's training staff offers training for every level of riding from Short Stirrup to Grand Prix hopefuls! Exceptional horses are also available for sale or lease.

For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long horse show schedule, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.