After his victory in the $40,000 Old Salem Farm 2* Grand Prix on Saturday, September 14, Joao Eduardo Ferreira De Carvalho (BRA) returned to the winner’s circle on Sunday, September 22, in the final international competition of the 2024 Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows. He faultlessly tripped the timers in 37.95 seconds for top honors in the $125,000 Old Salem Farm 3* Grand Prix riding Ester De Maugre.
Course designer Alan Wade presented 36 entries representing nine countries with a technical 16-effort course set at 1.50m in Sunday’s $125,000 Old Salem Farm 3* Grand Prix, where only seven horse-and-rider combinations returned for the jump-off. Eight-time Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) posted an early clear round in 40.16 seconds with Corrie 9, Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC’s 9-year-old Westphalian mare. Irish Olympic veteran Darragh Kenny was the first to catch the time, stopping the clock in 38.75 seconds aboard Chaccoletto, but final placings came down to the wire as Ferreira De Carvalho was the last rider to return.
“I know that my mare is very, very quick over the ground,” Ferreira De Carvalho said of Alison Firestone LLC’s 10-year-old Selle Français mare, who posted the winning 37.95-second time. “There were some amazing, fast riders before us, but I knew that I had the chance to beat them if we could go clear. I don’t think there was a specific place where we caught them because the mare was so fast around the whole course.
“It’s a dream to be jumping here with these amazing horses,” he added. “These last two weeks are something to remember for sure. I work for Kent Farrington, and my two Grand Prix mounts are from Alison (Firestone), who wants to spend more time with her kids. I had the privilege to show them here, and this was an opportunity that I’m so grateful for. I knew I had to just ride my best and be clean because these are really amazing horses.”
Kenny ultimately landed in second place with Oakland Ventures LLC’s 11-year-old Polish Sport Horse gelding, while Pessoa and Corrie 9 took third.
The Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows host competitions for riders of all levels and ages, ranging from young children on ponies to top Grand Prix stars aboard their elite mounts. Week 1 (September 10-15) was designated CSI4*/2* while Week 2 (September 17-22) was designated CSI3*. Old Salem’s September schedule also includes a National/Level 2 event (September 26-29).
Results here.