Jessica Springsteen earns first Grand Prix win at the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W in Westchester County

NORTH SALEM, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The sold-out crowd of nearly 6,000 fans at the idyllic Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York cheered Jessica Springsteen on her first Grand Prix win of $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W held on September 14.  

Springsteen and her horse Vindicat W bested a field of 32 other qualified international entries to add their names to the list of accomplished riders and horses who have won the $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W before them.

"On behalf of Westchester County, congratulations to Jessica Springsteen for a victorious win at this year's American Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the U.S.," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "We are pleased that she earned this milestone right here in our beautiful county."

This year, as Springsteen stood atop the podium, her trainer, Olympian Laura Kraut, stood to her left and fellow young rider, Katie Dinan, joined her to her right. The three American women had swept the medal positions in an exciting and fitting end to the 2014 American Gold Cup.

"It's absolutely incredible. To win such a prestigious class is really amazing. My horse jumped super so I'm so thrilled," Springsteen said. "The fences, especially at the end, were pretty big. It was definitely tough enough, but after walking the course I knew exactly what my plan was going to be. That was kind of a relief since I went so early; I was just able to go in and execute the plan and hope for the best."

Springsteen and Vindicat W, owned by Stone Hill Farm of Colts Neck, New Jersey, were joined in the jump-off by five other top contenders: Candice King and Kismet 50, Todd Minikus and Babalou 41, Wilton Porter and Diamonte Darco, Dinan and Nougat Du Vallet and Kraut and Andretti S.

As the first to go clear in the first round, Springsteen was also the first to return to jump-off, as she and Vindicat W laid down a speedy time to beat 35.360 seconds.

This year's staging of the 2014 American Gold Cup in North Salem was considered a huge success by all, including the event organizers, Stadium Jumping and Old Salem Farm.

"In a word it was perfect - the weather, the great crowd. It rained just enough to make the grand prix field footing perfect. It was a great class," said Michael Morrissey, president of Stadium Jumping. "We are grateful to all our sponsors and to Westchester County for helping us get the word out there to help us get such a wonderful audience."

About Westchester County Tourism & Film
Tourism & Film is Westchester County's official destination marketing organization. Its mission is to generate economic benefits by enhancing the image and promoting Westchester County as a premier business and leisure destination in the Hudson Valley region. The Tourism & Film Office in Westchester County is a division within County Executive Robert P. Astorino's Office of Economic Development. For more information, visit http://visitwestchesterny.com/ or call (914) 995-8500.

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SOURCE Westchester County Tourism & Film