NEWS

Top Of The Mark, owned by Mary Gaylord McCLean, will be one of 10 horses inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame for 2017 during the Old Salem May Horse Show, in North Salem, New York, the prestigious two-week event that is held at one of the nation's premier equestrian facilities. The ceremony will precede the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

The Hall of Fame, established by the EQUUS Foundation and US Equestrian in 2013, celebrates the extraordinary talent of horses and the magical bond between horses and people.

"Old Salem Farm is thrilled to host the 2017 EQUUS Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame awards celebrating the magic of outstanding and unique horses and all they bring to the lives of humans," said Alan Bietsch of Old Salem.

"Horses are such special creatures who enhance our lives in so many ways and give us strength and inspiration in their power -- and their vulnerability. They make us fly and soar and teach us to be compassionate and respectful. We are better and more hopeful people because of horses. The EQUUS Foundation is so proud to partner with beautiful Old Salem Farm to honor the 2017 Horse Stars Hall of Fame recipients and their owners," said Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation vice president of communications and special projects.

The five horses selected by US Equestrian to be honored for their athletic achievements are Catch Me, owned by David and Becky Gochman; HH Azur, owned by Double H Farm and Francois Mathy; Mighty Nice, owned by HnD Group; Sjaantje, owned by Gail Aumiller and Dreams Come True Farm; and WGC Top Of The Mark, owned by Mary Gaylord McClean.

The five horses selected by the EQUUS Foundation to be recognized for their inspirational and life-changing impact on people are Billy White Shoes, deceased, owned by Roxane Lawrence Durant, Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA); Dancer, owned by JoyRide Center; GTR Patricks Vindicator, owned by Sarah Schaaf; Sutter, owned by Neda DeMayo, Return to Freedom; and Twin Ponds Camotion, deceased, owned by Debi Demick, Horses Helping Heroes Project.

Stay tuned for May 21st induction ceremony starting at 2:15 p.m. when the stories of these remarkable horses will be revealed on the Horse Stars Hall of Fame website, and watch the live stream at www.oldsalemfarm.net!

-- via Old Salem May Horse Show