An Unlikely Way to Spend a Weekend: A Visit to Horse Country

A competitor at the American Gold Cup competition Photo credit: L. Tripoli — A competitor at the American Gold Cup competition
Photo credit: L. Tripoli

Items not prone to appear on my life list of things to do are:

Living in a small town
Going to a horse show
Liking both

But this past weekend found me at North Salem, N.Y.’s Old Salem Farm observing the horses and riders competing in the American Gold Cup. Sitting on the hill overlooking the course and people watching, I ran into half a dozen people I know. Yakking with friends, I learned that actor and salad dresser Paul Newman once owned the place, as did a former town supervisor who got into a bit of trouble a few years ago. I learned that some women still wear outlandish hats to horse shows but that most do not. I learned that portable bathrooms can be paneled and full-doored with functional seats and flushable toilets. I learned that double-decker party tents haven’t really been seen in North Salem before.

2013-09-15 12.00.11 — A greeter at Ryder Farm in North Salem, N.Y. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

I learned that a number of horses have French names, like the one who earned the cup yesterday: Nice de Prissey, ridden by Brianne Goutal. I learned that carnival food like funnel cakes aren’t sold at horse shows but healthful alternatives like grilled four-cheese sandwiches are. I learned that kids and dogs run the jumps in the hours before the competition starts. I learned that a lot of people bring their pets to horse shows. I liked the Audis on exhibit. I liked the beautiful day and the talented riders. I liked watching the horses and walking the premises. Most importantly, I like this small town with large horse farms.

—Lori Tripoli