Grand Prix victory for Sydney Shulman and Villamoura

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While competing at the 2018 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm, Sydney Shulman’s mount Villamoura sustained an eye injury and has been sidelined for the past eight months. They returned to the show ring at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows and scored a win right out of the gate in the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Miller Motorcars.

“This is a huge deal for me because she’s my best horse, my favorite horse, and this was our goal to be able to show here this year,” said Shulman, whose mother Jill has owned Villamoura for four years. “We brought her back nicely and made sure she was fit enough for this. I’m beyond thrilled and so happy to have her back. I really missed her this winter.”

Shulman, 24, and Villamoura were one pair of seven to jump clear over the first round and advance to the jump-off. They returned and stopped the clock clear again in 35.340 seconds for the win over Jeremy Sweetnam (IRL) aboard Cliff Z for owner Gotham Enterprizes.

“I don’t think anyone knew what she was going to be until she won the 1.50m here at Gold Cup two years ago,” said Shulman. “She was a late bloomer, and it took a while to slow her down because she’s really hot. We took our time and now the sky is the limit for her.”

Based in Greenwich, CT, Shulman has been competing at Old Salem Farm since she was eight years old in the children’s jumpers. She and her family’s Back Country Farm have 27 horses competing during the Spring Horse Shows, two of which tackled the Under 25 Grand Prix.

“It’s wonderful to have a stepping stone division instead of having to jump a three-star grand prix against McLain, Beezie, Laura, and all the other top riders,” said Shulman, who has one final year to compete in the Under 25 ranks. “I wish I had many more years!”

Sweetnam settled for second in 36.099 seconds, while Caitlin Creel (USA) rounded out the top three riding her own Dynamis KC in 39.370 seconds.

International jumper competition comes to a peak on Sunday with the $133,700 Empire State Grand Prix CSI3*, presented by The Kincade Group. In the hunter ranks, the Grand Pony, Children’s and Junior Hunter Champions will be crowned.

Final Results: $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Miller Motorcars

1 VILLAMOURA: 2009 mare by Diamant de Semilly
SYDNEY SHULMAN (USA), Jill Shulman: 0/0/35.340

2 CLIFF Z: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Canturano x Quasimodo Z
JEREMY SWEETNAM (IRL), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/0/36.099

3 DYNAMIS KC: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Berlin x Heartbreaker
CAITLIN CREEL (USA), Caitlin Creel: 0/0/39.370

4 ALVARINO Z: 2005 Holsteiner stallion by Acodetto 2 x Caretino 2
RALEIGH HILER (USA), Kurt Hiler: 0/0/39.663

5 MJ: 2007 Hosteiner mare by Conejo
RACHEL GLICKLICH (USA), Rachel Glicklich: 0/439.161

6 JASPER III: 2009 gelding by Clovis 111
DONOVAN ROSS (USA), Halo Capital: 0/4/39.240

7 BALOU 660: 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Ramiro
EMMA MARLOWE (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/Elim.

8 CEITASI: 2010 Westphalian mare by Caretello B x Cavalier
NATALIE DEAN (USA), Ilan Ferder: 4/72.340

9 CALISTA: 2006 Westphalian mare by Cornet Obolensky x Pontifex
JEREMY SWEETNAM (IRL), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 4/72.370

10 ALETTA: 2005 KWPN mare by Sydney x Guidam
MARIA BRUGAL (DOM), Maria Brugal: 4/74.450

11 HILGARIE: 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare by Calvaro x Kashmir van Schuttershof
SYDNEY SHULMAN (USA), Jill Shulman: 4/77.868

12 DOULE DUCHESS KC: 2007 Westphalian mare by Cornet Fever x Lenardo
CAITLIN CREEL (USA), Caitlin Creel: 4/76.249