It was a great day for the Irish at the $135,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix on Sunday in New York.
But it wasn’t the luck of the Irish that had riders from the Emerald Isle finishing first through fourth in the class, according to course designer Alan Wade — who also happens to be Irish.
“I think they just rode better on the day,” he said of winner Jordan Coyle, runner-up Darragh Kenny (who was third as well) and Philip McGuane, in the class presented by the Kincade Group/UBS Financial Service Inc.
Old Salem Grand Prix winner Jordan Coyle and Keep Me With You NC. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Nationalities don’t come into it. They were three good riders and they’re very hard to beat when they go double clear. They’re riding some nice horses, too,” Alan pointed out.
Jordan was second to go in the 11-horse jump-off, culled from a first-round group of 34 entries from seven countries, but neither his countrymen (or anyone else) could match his slick time of 34.67 seconds on the 10-year-old Dutchbred mare, Keep Me With You NC. Darragh was closest but still far away with Amsterdam (36.33) and just a little slower on Zero K (36.80), while Philip McGuane clinched fourth on Orphea HQ (37.28).
Old Salem Grand Prix runner-up Darragh Kenny with Amsterdam. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Jordan suggested that Darragh hadn’t proceeded at top speed in his round against the clock with Amsterdam.
“I don’t think he gave it 110 percent, like we normally do, but he was also with a very good horse. He’s probably thinking of very good days to come, too,” Jordan said.
After the victory gallop, Jordan reminisced about his ties to Old Salem, where he had worked at the beginning of his career and lived in a bedroom above the barn. It’s a real Cinderfella story. But let him tell you about it: click on this video clip.
Announcer Peter Doubleday offered a tribute before the class to the late announcer Mike Moran, who died earlier this year. It was pointed out that Mike, who also had Irish roots, would have been thrilled with the results.
Alan, who was assisted by Paul Jewell in laying out the route around Old Salem’s massive arena, noted that since it was transformed from a grass ring to an all-weather surface, “the ground is excellent.”
That was proven when torrential rain on Friday led to cancellation of classes, but by Saturday, the footing was perfect again. The last time I visited Old Salem, the arena had a grass surface, which was more problematical in heavy rain.
This is the way the arena looked when it had a grass surface during the 2016 American Gold Cup. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
Scott Hakim, the president of Old Salem, explained his thoughts about the transformation of the arena in this video clip.
The grand prix course had what I call a dog leg, a line that went off to the side on an area that juts out, because the ring is a unique shape.
“It’s different,” Alan agreed, explaining it couldn’t be a more conventional shape because the giant oak tree on one side had to have its roots preserved. Hence the detour.
Fabulous buffets are a VIP tent trademark at Old Salem.
It was a great day not only for the Irish, but also for everyone else who came to watch the action at the spectacular facility nestled in the heart of Westchester County’s stunning horse country.
The weather couldn’t have been better, with sparkling sunshine and a perfect temperature of 72 degrees.
The flowering trees and people watching from the grassy hillside along the ring made a lovely picture.
Admission is free, which is an enormous plus in terms of bringing in more people to appreciate horse sport.
When Jordan Coyle worked at Old Salem at the beginning of his career, he stayed in one of the bedrooms in the backdrop for his winning ride. (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Old Salem means a lot to many people, because so many riders still in the area started their careers there.
Katie Dinan, the highest-placed U.S. rider at the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals last month, recalled her earliest memory of Old Salem as we chatted outside the arena during a break in the grand prix.
“I must have been about six, and I did my first walk-trot here. And I never trotted, I couldn’t get my pony to trot, it was really a walk class for me. That was my big debut; I wasn’t successful, but I still loved it,” Katie smiled, as she told me about it.
Old Salem is where many top riders got their start–will this competitor be one of them in the future? (Photo © 2025 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
She added, “It’s a regular stop on our calendar, probably since 2001. The show is great; the ring now is great. They’ve stepped up every year, FEI level. It’s just a pleasure to be here. It’s really nice that we can compete at such a high caliber that close to home. There are so many great horses and riders in this area.”
Scott Hakim also grew up riding at Old Salem, and naturally the place is close to his heart. Click on this video clip to find out more.
Since it was founded in 1964, Old Salem has had quite a history, along with several different names. Former owners of the 120 acres included actor Paul Newman and his wife, actress Joanne Woodward.
With so much open land in the New York metropolitan area falling prey to development, it’s wonderful see a place like Old Salem not only persisting, but also excelling; bringing top riders to a facility worthy of them and their horses, while welcoming the community to enjoy equestrian sport.
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