2016 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows Embrace Non-Profit Causes

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, held each May at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, will once again play host to non-profit and charitable causes from across the region. The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, recently named to the NARG Top 25 of 2015, will host two weeks of exceptional hunter/jumper competition on May 10-15 and May 17-22.

While offering prize money in excess of $500,000 in divisions ranging from ponies and equitation to Under 25 and top FEI competition, Old Salem Farm is dedicated to allowing local and regional non-profit organizations to share in the success of the Spring Horse Shows.

Highlighting the list of local organizations with a presence at Old Salem Farm this spring is Pegasus Therapeutic Riding. Pegasus includes four chapters throughout Putnam, Westchester and Fairfield counties, with Pegasus Farm, a 20-acre permanent facility in Brewster, NY, neighboring Old Salem Farm. Pegasus Therapeutic Riding aims to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and challenges through equine-assisted activities and therapies and will be on-site at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows with opportunities to support their cause. For more information on Pegasus, visit www.pegasustr.org.

“At its heart, the longtime partnership between Pegasus and Old Salem Farm is based on another enduring partnership: horses and humans,” said Pegasus Communications Director Christine Fitzgerald. “Our equestrian friends at Old Salem Farm know firsthand the impact their annual support has on the lives of the inspirational people we serve through the therapeutic power of the horse. We are deeply thankful to once again join Old Salem Farm as a charitable beneficiary, and we wish them much success in this year’s Spring Horse Shows.”

Headquartered in New York City, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) will visit Old Salem Farm on May 22 with adoptable cats and dogs. The ASPCA was the first humane society to be established in North America and is still one of the largest in the world. For more information on The ASPCA, visit www.aspca.org.

“The ASPCA’s Mobile Adoption program is delighted to participate in the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows and look forward to this each year,” said Senior Manager of Offsite Adoption and Foster Programs Eileen Hanavan. “We will bring cats and dogs available for adoption, all of them eligible to go home that very day. Knowledgeable adoption counselors will be present to assist interested parties with the adoption process. We truly appreciate the opportunity to engage such a large audience of animal lovers and to bring some of our wonderful shelter animals on a field trip to Old Salem Farm.”

Continuing a dedication by the equine industry to support animal welfare in general, A New Chance Dog Rescue will host adoption days on May 14 and 15. Calling Bedford Hills, NY, home, A New Chance was founded by 15-year-old Sophia Silverman and her mother Sharon in 2011. The organization rescues homeless and helpless dogs through fostering and adoption. Many of their available dogs will be at Old Salem Farm during the Spring Shows. For more information on A New Chance Dog Rescue, visit www.anewchancear.org.

“Showcasing our adoptable dogs and our organization at Old Salem Farm during the Spring Horse Shows gives us a unique opportunity to reach out to thousands of people we would never have access to. And best of all, they're also animal lovers!” said Sophia Silverman. “If families are ready to adopt now or want to find out more about us and adopt in the future, the exposure is golden. The day is always delightful and our dogs and volunteers really enjoy talking with people at Old Salem Farm about what we do, the joys of fostering, and finding that special someone.”

HEART Equine Ambulance (Humane Equine Aid and Rapid Transport) will visit the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows for the first time in 2016. HEART provides state-of-the-art emergency transportation services for injured or ill horses with a highly-trained crew specializing in loading and transporting horses that need urgent care. They also offer programs aimed at educating the general public on standards of care for competition-level horses. HEART is a 501.c non profit and donations can be made at www.equineambulance.com.

"HEART Equine Ambulance is pleased to be providing emergency transport service at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows in 2016,” said President of HEART Equine Ambulance Robin Sweely. “Our dedicated, highly-trained staff and our state-of-the art ambulance will be on-site in case of any equine emergency at the ring or back in the barn. Feel free to stop by for a tour of our ambulance!”

Additionally, The Wolf Conservation Center, based just down the road from Old Salem Farm in South Salem, NY, teaches people about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future. The Wolf Conservation Center will be on-site at the Spring Horse Shows during the second week of competition on May 17-22 and will host a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Social on May 22. For more information on The Wolf Conservation Center, visit www.nywolf.org.

"The Wolf Conservation Center is honored to participate in the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows in 2016,” said Curator Rebecca Bose. “We look forward to hosting the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Social and encourage people to stop by our Boutique to view our great fundraising products for sale, and learn more about what we do at our Center!"

“The Spring Horse Shows are two of the most exciting and successful weeks we enjoy all year long, and it is our pleasure to welcome non-profit organizations to the farm to further their causes,” said Old Salem Farm manager Alan Bietsch. “Their presence, whether it's hosting a dog rescue or educating spectators about therapeutic riding, adds to the exciting atmosphere that makes the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows so special.”

Stay on top of all things Old Salem Farm this spring with live streaming of select events during the Spring Horse Shows at www.USEFNetwork.com or www.oldsalemfarm.net. Old Salem Farm and Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows are also on Facebook, as well as on Twitter and Instagram as @oldsalemfarmny. Follow for an exclusive and behind-the-scenes look at the Old Salem Farm experience.

About the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows
Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group. Host of the FEI 2* and 3* Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.