A NEW YORK LANDMARK: SUNNYFIELD FARM

from April/May 2020

THE 2020 LONGINES FEI JUMPING NATIONS CUP

BY EMILY HOLOWCZAK | PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

Nestled in the rolling hills of Bedford, New York, Sunnyfield Farm boasts a rich history of equestrian sport. The meticulously kept property has hosted many famous horses and riders over the years, spanning a myriad of disciplines. From dressage and eventing, to show jumping and racing, Sunnyfield has seen it all. The McIntosh family owned the farm in earlier years. Mrs. Josephine McIntosh, heiress to the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P), catered to a wide array of equestrian disciplines in the years before the current owners, the Nielsen family, bought the farm. The barn was painted its characteristic yellow color based on a brand of A&P butter. Today, Sunnyfield is home to one of the most prominent names in racehorse breeding. Owner Joanne Nielsen has raised numerous top Thoroughbreds over her 40-plus years in the business.

**The sun porch of Nielsens' home on the property**

After 44 years in the business, the Nielsens hope to keep the farm in the family.

The Nielsens’ journey into the horse business began at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut, where the children trained for many years and became established riders. When Sunnyfield Farm became available at auction in the 1970s, the Nielsen family joined the Salant, Sigler, and Bayne families to purchase the farm. Later, the Nielsens bought out the other families to become the sole owners. After the children grew up, Joanne and her daughter Karen focused mainly on breeding racehorses. Most recently, the farm has welcomed foals sired by the famous Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. One colt fetched $1.3 million at auction last year when Bob Baffert bought him on behalf of M.V. Magnier

Not only does the farm cater to raising prize Thoroughbreds, but a handful of top show-jumping and dressage trainers have called Sunnyfield home as well. Robert McNeel’s Astor Place Show Stables is based there. Olympic silver-medalist Peter Leone also runs his training operation out of Sunnyfield and consistently showcases top show-jumpers around the world. Leone has 35 stalls at the farm and has been a tenant for over three years. Each fall, he hosts the Bedford Cup, an exciting day of equestrian competition at Sunnyfield, where Olympic, amateur, and junior riders come together to celebrate Bedford’s beautiful fall season while competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals in show-jumping. Among other disciplines, grand-prix dressage rider Lendon Gray also ran her business out of Sunnyfield for over 15 years. Back in the 1950s and ‘60s, several top eventers showed at Sunnyfield, including Michael Page and Denis Glaccum. The remains of an upper-level three-day eventing course runs throughout the property.

As for the future of Sunnyfield, the Nielsen family’s main focus continues to be rooted in breeding top-notch racehorses. After 44 years in the business, the Nielsens hope to keep the farm in the family while offering exquisite accommodations to their equestrian tenants for many years to come.