Of the 31 entries representing 14 nations competing in Saturday’s $200,000 Old Salem Farm FEI 4* Blue Diamond Cup, five successfully navigated Alan Wade’s 16-effort, 1.55m track and made it to the jump-off. All maintained their faultless rounds until the end, but it was Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) who came out on top in 39.11 seconds aboard Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland.
With the beautiful backdrop of Westchester County’s surrounding horse country, the Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows presented by J.P. Morgan Private Bank feature two weeks of world-class competition on par with what everyone has come to expect from Old Salem Farm. The 2025 Shows host an FEI CSI4*/2* event, September 9-14, and an FEI CSI2* event, September 16-21, with both weeks rated USEF ‘National’ for hunters. Additionally, Old Salem’s September schedule includes a USEF National/Level 2 event, September 24-28.
Jump-off pathfinders Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) and Quimi Del Maset set the time to beat with their double-clear score of 40.50 seconds in the $200,000 Old Salem Farm 4* Blue Diamond Cup, but they were quickly unseated when Marilyn Little (USA) and La Contessa stepped into the ring. Fresh off their victory in Thursday’s $65,000 Old Salem Farm 4* Welcome Stake, Little and her 10-year-old Mecklenburg mare tripped the timers in 39.85 seconds.
The following two riders, Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Jessica Mendoza (GBR), weren’t quite fast enough to catch either of those times. Then Sternlicht galloped around the course with Starlight Farms 1 LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, securing her victory in 39.11 seconds.
“Going last is always a big advantage,” Sternlicht said. “Marilyn is always so fast, so I said, ‘Any day that I can beat Marilyn and La Contessa is a good day.’ I was able to really take advantage of my horse’s stride and his bravery; I knew that I could do (Fences) #1 to #2 in seven strides on the bend where Marilyn’s horse really had to keep going, so that helped us get back to the next fence quicker. I really trusted my horse because he’s so game and has so much scope. I knew that if I did it right and gave him a good chance, he would fight for me.
“He was actually out for a year, but he’s a horse that I really believed in when I first sat on him as an eight-year-old,” she added. “I’m overwhelmingly, emotionally proud of him and the way he’s come back. I’ve always said he gave me one of the best feelings I’ve ever had on a horse, and to see him really get his time in the spotlight is just amazing.”
Little and La Contessa ultimately landed in second place, with Ashe Cawley and Louisburg Farm’s 11-year-old C.D.E. gelding rounding out the podium. Mendoza finished fourth in 41.19 seconds aboard Ascadina PP Z, Ammann Equestrian LLC’s 9-year-old Zangersheide mare. McCrea earned fifth for his 42.18-second time with Chaccotilino PS, Windsor Show Stables’ 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Results here.
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