Bedford, NY – May 24, 2012 –New England Farm showed nothing short of success during their two weeks of competition at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows. Cynthia Williams and her students took numerous hunter championships throughout the two weeks, as well as garnering top ribbons in varying divisions against some of the nation’s best. 

The first week of the Old Salem Spring Horse Show was filled with anticipation as top riders vied for the esteemed championship honors. It was Alex Beyrer who rode Papillon, owned by Deb Howard, to the top of the leader board in the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters. The pair earned three blue ribbons for their efforts in the over fences, as well as the third place ribbon over fences and the first place in the under saddle. They also earned the second place honors in the M & S/NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Qualifier. 

“I have had him for around five years, and he is the perfect horse,” Howard explained. “Cynthia was the one who matched us up, and I remember after standing ringside at a show in Vermont, we watched plenty of horses go, but when we saw him, we fell in love with him and bought him. He is absolutely the most perfect horse for me. Every single need I have, he has met. Cynthia is by far one of the best trainers I have ever had to match up a horse and a person. He is evidence of her ability to do that.” 

“You sit there and point him at the jumps and he does it. I am an older person and I need a horse that is quiet and doesn’t spook. He has a nice, smooth, comfortable ride, and he knows his job. He has only gotten better since I bought him,” Howard continued. “He doesn’t object to anything, and he doesn’t have a time clock. He just does his job, and if I make a mistake on him he is very patient and immediately understands what to do. He will take care of his rider.” 

“I have been on and off riding all year long, and I have just started to come back again. He is the kind of horse where even with such a long expanse in between, he doesn’t seem to mind much of anything. I have had a couple of other extremely special horses, but he is very out there. He has the heart and the personality to do well. It’s who he is and what he does,” Howard concluded. 

Beyrer also rode the bay Warmblood gelding Eastwood, owned by Chelsea Cohn, to the fourth place ribbon in the over fences during the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters. She also was awarded the fourth place ribbon in the M & S/NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Qualifier. 

It was the young Coco Fath who emerged the winner in the Small Green Pony Hunters with her mount Well Played. The pair earned two first and two second place ribbons for their rounds in the over fences. They were also awarded the third place ribbon in the under saddle. As the points were calculated, it became apparent that Fath and Well Played were the well-deserving winners, and they took home the champion tricolor. 

Jennifer Padovani and Believe You Me recently came off of a championship win in the Adult Amateur Hunters at Hunter Farms in Princeton, the week before they began showing at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows. They continued to score excellent marks throughout their division, taking home excellent ribbons for their continued consistency. 

Morgan Graber welcomed in the second week of the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows with a championship win aboard Red Drum. Graber piloted Red Drum to the top ribbons in the Local Hunter Section “A” classes. They were awarded the first place ribbon in the over fences, and were awarded the third place ribbon for their efforts in the under saddle. 

Patricia Griffith stepped up for Cynthia Williams and exhibited Grid Iron, owned by Natalie Gizzi. They were awarded with championship prize in their division. The pair laid down nothing but consistent rounds in the Performance 3’6″-3’9″ Hunters, riding to two first place ribbons and one red ribbon. They also took the third place in the under saddle, securing their lead. Grid Iron also was shown by Heidi Driscoll in the Adult Amateur 46 & Over Hunters, earning several good ribbons. 

Papillon with Beyrer in the irons competed for the second week in the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunters. The pair once again took top ribbons in the division, including the first place in the under saddle and the third place in the over fences. 

Chelsea Cohn rode Glenview to the fourth place position in the Children’s 15-17 Hunter division for their round, as well as other good ribbons in the division. The score of ribbons proved the team’s consistency as they also picked up the M & S/NAL/WIHS Children’s 15-17 Hunter Qualifier. Cohn also guided Glenview to the fourth place finish in the Equitation 15-17 Flat Tests (1-19). 

New England Farm, Inc. was founded in 1978 by Cynthia Williams and Dennis Mulcahy, and again in 2001 by Cynthia Williams. It is devoted to distinction in all phases of horse production, training and care. New England Farm is well known for its excellence and quality of products, including horses and riders alike, as well as superior customer service. The team looks forward to their upcoming three weeks at HITS-on-the-Hudson, where they will compete against some of the nation’s best. To stay updated with New England Farm, please visit their Facebook. For more information, please call New England Farm at (914) 330-1443.

Photo Credit: Alex Beyrer and Papillon won the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunter Championship honors during the first week of the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows. Photo By: Deb Howard. Photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.