Kelly Tropin in the Winner's Circle: Old Salem Farm Spring Shows

Photo: Kelly Tropin and Chablis in their winner's presentation. (Photo by The Book LLC)

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. -- The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows were held May 10-15 and May 17-22 in North Salem, N.Y.
Kelly Tropin of New York, N.Y., piloted her own Chablis to Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion in week one.

She rode her own Chablis to Champion in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Division, sponsored by Charles Owen, after picking up two firsts and one fourth place ribbon over fences and winning both the handy round and the under saddle.  Tropin, who rides with Peter Lutz and Mary Manfredi at Davenport Show Jumping in North Salem, N.Y., has known her eight-year old Wurttemberger gelding since he was four, and purchased him out of her own barn when he was six.

"The first time we saw him, I was standing with Peter next to the Rost Ring at WEF and he trotted by," said Tropin. "He is very flashy and Peter said to me, 'I have to have that horse'."

A determined Lutz got his wish, and Chablis joined his string before Tropin took up the reins.

Robin de Ponthual who with Lutz who finished in the top 20 at the 2016 Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final had some time to relax at Lutz's base in New York. The 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Elf d'Or-IO de la Grange) owned by Katherine Gallagher and Michael Meller returned to the show ring in top form during the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows.

Lutz and Robin de Ponthual placed seventh in the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake, producing a double clear effort over the technical track. "It was Robin's first competition since World Cup Finals," said Lutz. "He felt great, and it was exciting to be showing again. He had two clear rounds and the goal was just to get him back into the ring."