Discover the Exquisite Farm that Hosts Show Jumping’s Most Exciting Events

Set on 125 acres in New York’s Westchester County, Old Salem Farm was built in 1967, and today is host to some of the most prestigious shows – and riders – in the country. It is also downright gorgeous. Nestled atop a hill a little more than an hour from the city, Old Salem Farm is the perfect place to spend an early fall day taking in the iconic American Gold Cup show jumping competition. Thanks to Hermès, we did just that.

Watching McLain Ward kick off the Hermès Sellier Cup competition at Old Salem Farm from the gorgeous Hermès chalet was a dream. After checking out their new saddles, rich orange halters, polo wraps, and blankets (for both myself and my horse), it was time to tour a small fraction of the beautiful farm. Let’s start with the 67 stall oh-so-chic barn.

Lucky are the horses and owners who board here. There are 30 turnout paddocks to keep our four-legged friends happy, a boarders’ lounge, gym, and snack bar for us human folk. Now on to the indoor rings, of which there are three. Did you know Old Salem was one of the first stables to have an indoor ring on the East Coast? (What did they even do before indoor rings?! And heated viewing areas, for that matter?). In addition to the indoor rings, there are five outdoor schooling rings. Below, the riders warm up for their upcoming jumpers classes.

While the American Gold Cup is known to draw a celebrity rider, this competition was not the farm’s first brush with stardom. In 1981, the actor Paul Newman purchased the farm, and though it has changed hands many times since then, he was the first to truly invest in the property. In the decades to follow, the farm would go on to host Bloombergs, Springsteens, and an Olsen at its iconic shows.

Lucky are the horses and owners who board here.

No visit to Old Salem Farm for the American Gold Cup is complete without a jump-off, a glass of champagne, and a wave hello to the ponies. Next time we visit, we’re going to try our best to catch a lesson with Olympian silver medalist and trainer Lucy Davis, who now calls Old Salem Farm home. We only wish we could call this beautiful stable home too.