NORTH SALEM, N.Y.--Michael Murphy and Alexandra Pielet were among the first winners crowned in the Old Salem Farm International Arena during the second week of the Old Salem Spring Shows, with Pielet winning in the Open Jumper 1.35m and Murphy in both the 1.25m and 1.40m.

Michael Murphy on Ea De Casavieja (Photo by SEL Photography)Murphy of Wellington, Fla., rode Ea De Casavieja to victory in the $2,000 Open Jumper 1.25m for the second consecutive week, clean in the jump-off in 32.913 seconds.

From a field of 64 entries, Gabriela Reutter of Wellington finished both second and third with Here I Am Z, clean in 34.207, and Joselinde L.A.T., clean in 34.884.

Pielet, of Highland Park, Ill,, then won over 77 competitors in the $4,000 Open Jumper 1.35m, clean in 30.294 seconds on Hyperbolics.

Lauren Tyree of Chicago, Ill., was second in 30.529 seconds on Noah Van Den Doorn, and Colombia’s Mark Bluman on Liddle Boy was third after finishing in 30.845 seconds.

 

IN THE $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m, Murphy won again, finishing clean in 25.028 seconds on Comedie De Talma.

Of the 39 contenders, only Amanda Derbyshire of Great Britain came within 0.364 seconds of Murphy’s time to place second on Wonder If, in a time of 25.392 seconds.

Fresh off his Nations Cup triumph in California over the weekend, five-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., was third on Alanine De Vains, clean in 26.03).

“That horse in particular is such a good vertical jumper and likes to go in speed classes like this,” Murphy said. “She felt great riding yesterday and today, and I thought the course was well-suited to her. The way Alan Wade designed the course, you were able to pick up a gallop right at the start of the speed phase, and there was really no reason for me to pull on the reins. Everything came up great.”