Adrienne Iverson (CAN) and Redfield Farm’s Donar R bested a field of 49 to win the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake on Friday and kick off FEI competition at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 10-15 and May 17-22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Hometown hero, Mattias Tromp of North Salem, claimed second aboard Avon for Beyaert Farm, Inc., while Paul O’Shea (IRL) finished third in the irons of NLF Favorite for Nordic Lights Farm, LLC.
Iverson, 29, faced courses by designer Richard Jeffery of Great Britain from the 19th position in the original order. She was eventually one of 21 to advance to the jump-off and topped seven double-clear rounds with a blistering time of 40.47 seconds for the win. Tromp and Avon were fractions shy of the win on 40.83 seconds, while O’Shea and NLF Favorite broke the tape in 42.83 seconds for third. Fourth was presented to Christine McCrea (USA) and Win For Life with a jump-off time of 42.97 seconds, and Lauren Tisbo (USA) capped the top five aboard on Mr. Visto in 43.04 seconds.
Iverson has had the ride on Donar R, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, for a year after partnering with Emil Spadone and Paul Hendrix to add him to her string.
“He had a slow winter, but a really great spring so far,” said Iverson of her mount. “I’m always looking for that special horse, and I’m really lucky Emil and Paul came across him because you don’t find horses like that all the time.”
Donar R has carried Iverson to several top placings over their 12 months together, but she admits that some of his best efforts have been on grass footing, making Old Salem Farm their ideal location. While containing Donar R’s excitement has proved to be the biggest challenge for Iverson, the pair clicked this week to pull off an impressive win.
“He has so much energy, but he’s the most powerful horse I’ve ever ridden,” she said. “It’s hard to complain about excitement because he loves what he does, and he’s always honest. I’m just so lucky to have him – it’s hard to find a horse that is as scopey, careful, and competitive as he is.”
According to Iverson, testing Donar R is the plan as the gelding continues to improve the more he is challenged. They will contest Sunday’s $50,000 Old Salem Farm CSI 2* Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, with hopeful plans for more blue ribbons in the future.
“My goals, especially for such a good horse, are to always keep him happy and healthy,” concluded Iverson. “I’ll continue to the best I can and hopefully we can win more classes like this.”
Earlier in the day on Friday, O’Shea claimed another top ribbon by winning the $6,500 Open Jumper 1.35m. Coming up on Saturday at Old Salem Farm, The Grand Prix Field will host children, junior, and amateur jumper competition, in addition to featuring the $15,000 Old Salem Farm Speed Derby at 12 pm. Outside the ring, A New Chance Animal Rescue will be on-site at Old Salem Farm from 12-3 pm. Family activities, including face painting will begin at 11 am with an Ice Cream Social hosted by Pegasus Therapeutic Riding kicking off at 2 pm. Finally, HEART Equine Ambulance will be available for education tours of their equipment from 1 to 2 pm.
$35,000 New York Welcome Stake
1 DONAR R: 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Skippy II
ADRIENNE IVERSON (CAN), Redfield Farm: 0/0/40.470
2 AVON: 2004 Swedish Warmblood stallion by Quidam de Revel x Cortez 679
MATTIAS TROMP (USA), Beyaert Farm, Inc.: 0/0/40.830
3 NLF FAVORITE: 2005 Belgian Warmblood mare by Action Breaker x Indoctro
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Nordic Lights Farm, LLC: 0/0/42.83
4 WIN FOR LIFE: 2006 Zangersheide gelding by Winningmood van de Arenberg x Chatman
CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 0/0/42.970
5 MR. VISTO: 2005 Holsteiner stallion by Levisto x Ariadus
LAUREN TISBO (USA), Tequestrian Farms, LLC: 0/0/43.040
6 DAYDREAM: Info. N/A
JIMMY TORANO (USA), Jimmy & Danielle Torano: 0/0/44.220
7 ROBIN DE PONTHUAL: 2005 Selle Francais gelding by Elf D’or x Calypso D’Herbiers*Ecolit
PETER LUTZ (USA), Katherine Gallagher & Michael Meller: 0/0/44.760
8 HH CARLOS Z: 2002 Zangersheide gelding by Chellano Z x Voltaire
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Double H Farm: 0/4/39.210
9 HH WHISKY ROYALE: 2005 Zangersheide gelding by Wonderful Van’t Beugehof x Kannan
QUENTIN JUDGE (USA), Double H Farm: 0/4/39.240
10 CASSINJA S: 2006 Dutch Sporthorse mare by Carinjo x Cassini I
CHARES JACOBS (USA), CMJ Sporthorse, LLC: 0/4/41.180
11 QUALITY: 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Quidam’s Rubin x Grannus
JIMMY TORANO (USA), Deborah Perkins: 0/4/41.950
12 ZERNIKE K: 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Sam R. x Topas
BRIANNE GOUTAL (USA), Remarkable Farms, LLC: 0/4/42.280
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