The latest event of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League kicks off this week at the historic Old Salem Farm (North Salem, New York). Some of the world’s most decorated show jumping veterans as well as up-and-coming stars will battle for top honors.
Celebrating its 49th year, the American Gold Cup, presented by Captive One Advisors, LLC, is one of the United States’ most popular horse shows, with elite show jumping complemented by boutique shopping, family activities and elegant hospitality amidst a beautiful backdrop.
The featured class, the coveted $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, while Saturday, Sept. 14 will highlight the $35,000 Hermès Sellier Cup and the $71,200 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* on the Grand Prix Field.
Star-Studded Line-Up
Some of 2018’s American Gold Cup winners will return to Old Salem Farm in efforts to reprise their roles once again at the top. As the champion in the previous year’s $204,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ New York CSI4*-W, Molly Ashe Cawley is the current title holder of the illustrious American Gold Cup, and McLain Ward will take to the grass ring once again following victories in the $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI4*-W and the $70,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4*. The 2018 leaderboard-topper in the $35,000 Trelawny Farm Welcome Stake CSI4*, Kristen Vanderveen will aim to add to her trophy collection, while $10,000 1.45m Jumper CSI4* winner Shane Sweetnam (IRL) will also compete for more prize money.
Other American athletes who will make appearances include Beezie Madden, Margie Goldstein-Engle, Adrienne Sternlicht, Catherine Tyree, Alex Granato and Andrew Welles, among many others. Madden is hot off a victory aboard Darry Lou in the largest prize money show jumping class in the world, the $3 Million CP ‘International’ Grand Prix held on Sept. 8 at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in Calgary, Alberta. Likewise, Goldstein-Engle piloted Royce to the top of the pack in the Saugerties $500,000 Grand Prix FEI CSI5* at HITS in Saugerties, N.Y. on the same day. Both women will aim to repeat their success this week at the American Gold Cup.
One of the most popular and prestigious horse shows in the United States, the American Gold Cup is a calendar staple for many international contenders representing nations across the globe. Nearly 60 elite individuals hailing from 14 countries will compete in FEI-rated contests as some of the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations will vie for prize money and glory throughout the week. International challengers will include Daniel Bluman (ISR), Beat Mändli (SUI), Santiago Lambre (MEX), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Harrie Smolders (NED), to name a few.
The full list of FEI athletes competing at the 2019 American Gold Cup can be found here.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet some of these competitors at an autograph signing session on Sunday, Sept. 15, following the final awards ceremony for the $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – New York CSI4*-W on the Grand Prix Field.
Each of the 14 events included in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League offer chances for the riders to earn all-important qualifying points to compete in next spring’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final (April 15-19) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Family-Friendly Fun
Family entertainment begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, including pony rides, kids crafts, a petting zoo, magicians, face painting and shopping on Boutique Row. On Saturday, The School of Rock will perform and Sunday will showcase an IHSA and IEA fair featuring local colleges and riding programs.
Show jumping fans and enthusiasts will also have the chance to meet a select few of the friendly and inspiring grand prix athletes at an autograph signing on the Grand Prix Field following Sunday’s awards ceremony.
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How to Watch
Prior to the weekend’s highlight events, competition is free to attend and open to the public Wednesday through Friday. With incredible sport, shopping and family fun, the American Gold Cup is a can’t-miss event for equestrians and non-equestrians alike.
Tickets are now available to purchase online for Saturday and Sunday’s most prestigious competitions. Saturday and Sunday tickets for the 2019 American Gold Cup are $20 per adult and $15 per senior (65+) and military members. Children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets here.
If you can’t make it in person to cheer on your favorite riders, you can still follow along with the all the action during the show. Most classes will be broadcast on the webcast here. Sunday’s American Gold Cup class will be shown live on the subscription-based FEITV.
The American Gold Cup will also be broadcast on NBC Sports on Wednesday, September 25th at 11PM EST, but be sure to check your local listings as the time may be subject to change.
About the 2019 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W:
Held over five days, the American Gold Cup, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, LLC, at Old Salem Farm brings together a diverse crowd of elite equestrian athletes, discerning horse owners, excited fans and young hopefuls waiting to catch a glimpse of their idols set amongst a fanfare of family friendly activities, competitions, shopping, entertainment and celebrity sightings.
About the NAL
The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, now in its fifth year, consists of 14 venues in three countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada. Each venue hosts qualifiers to determine the North American riders who will compete at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final (April 15-19) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The NAL, which offers $2.4 million in prize money, is one of 16 leagues that form the global FEI World Cup™ Jumping series, which has been in existence since 1978. Follow Practical Horseman’s coverage of the NAL series on social media with the hashtags: #FEIWorldCup #JumpToGreatness #Longines.
