Skidmore College to open horse show at new home
STILLWATER, N.Y. » Horses and riders alike are still arriving for the Skidmore College Saratoga Classic that opens Wednesday at its new multi-million dollar home at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater.
More than $150,000 is up for grabs during two weeks of competition this month (June 13-17, 20-24), followed by a one-week show from Aug. 15-18.
Already there are about 500 horses on the grounds, with an equal number expected next week.
The new 103-acre site, with five competition arenas, was a gift to the college from the estate of the late Robert R. Rosenheim. Skidmore spent nearly two years preparing it for this summer’s action.
“It’s an amazing facility,” said trainer Bob Braswell, owner of Terrapin Hill Farm in Ocala, Fla. “This show had dwindled in attendance over the years. I’m surprised at the number of horses that are here right away. This is a big horse show again. It’s exciting. The way the horse business goes, that’s what people want. They want to go where everybody is and where the competition is.”
Previously, the show was held at the Yaddo grounds off Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs. The new site is about 10 miles away, at 28 Brickhouse Rd., just south of the old U.S. Air Force radar station, on the east side of Saratoga Lake.
“I have people coming to show here from Canada, North Carolina, South Carolina, everywhere,” Braswell said. “How can you not want to come here? Down South it’s 98 degrees and 100 percent humidity. You come here, it’s nice. After this year I
think you’ll get a lot more people from all over the place, too.”
Muddy conditions that plagued last year’s rainsoaked event are a thing of the past.
The new site’s arenas have quick-drying surfaces made from a sand and fiber composite.
“These horses are so expensive and the sport has grown so immensely that exhibitors demand all-weather, high-performance arenas,” said Adele Einhorn, the show’s executive director.
All told, there is 375,000 square feet of arena space, including three practice arenas, plus 12,600 linear feet of fencing and 6,580 feet of water piping. Refurbishing the former standardbred training farm also took 853 gallons of paint and 14,000 tons of crushed stone for paths and driveways.
Six permanent barns and six large white tents house 700 stalls.
“It looks great and everyone’s so accommodating,” said Vanessa Lencewicz, road manager for Grazing Fields Farm in Buzzards Bay, Mass.
“My first impression is that it’s very nice,” said veteran blacksmith Jim Fahey, of Australia.
The property also has ample room for camper and horse trailer parking and there’s a vendor area for food concessions, a tack shop, photographer’s stand and veterinary office. One of Einhorn’s favorite aspects of the new facility is the “Friendship Arena” where 100 parties donated $1,000 each to a “Buy a Board” campaign. Each donor’s name is listed on a different section of fence.
“Our friends helped us build this place,” Einhorn said.
The show is Skidmore’s largest fundraiser and has provided more than $4.5 million for financial aid and scholarships since its inception more than 20 years ago.
Admission is free and competition takes place daily from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m. except for Saturdays, June 17 and 24 when events begin at 7:30 p.m.
This week’s highlight is the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday, followed by the $25,000 Skidmore College Grand Prix on Saturday, June 24. For information go to: skidmore.edu/ saratogaclassic.