Kent Farrington and Willow. Photo by Rebecca Walton.
North Salem, NY – September 14, 2013 – Kent Farrington was on fire today, topping the $50,000 Hermès Classic with his talented mount Willow by besting a nine-horse jump-off with a double clear effort in 37.91 seconds. Forty-one of the country’s top equestrian athletes turned out for the event at the 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W, held at Old Salem Farm, but it was Farrington who had all the answers to beat Ireland’s Darragh Kenny with Prof De La Roque and Argentina’s Max Amaya riding Cartier, finishing second and third, respectively.
Ireland’s Alan Wade built today’s challenging track on the Grand Prix Field, which included an oxer-vertical double combination, and difficult final line with an oxer to a vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination that finished with an uphill vertical. Only nine were able to complete the course without fault, although a tight time allowed had three riders finishing with a single time fault.
For the jump-off, the competitors began with the first oxer in the final line of the original course to the oxer of the triple combination, before jumping a single vertical with a bending line to the double combination. They finished over two new fences before galloping to a single airy vertical.
Only four of the returning athletes managed to complete a second faultless round, the first of which came from Kent Farrington and Willow, owned by Amalaya Investments of Houston, TX. The duo set the target by leaving a stride out to the double combination and galloping easily over the final vertical. They crossed the finish line in 37.91 seconds, which would prove uncatchable.
“This horse has a very large stride and I just tried to take advantage of that in a couple of the lines,” explained Farrington. “I actually did one less in the combination, which I don’t think many horses can do. That’s a very unique horse that he can open up his stride that much and still be able to jump a double well.”
Darragh Kenny made a good effort to beat Farrington’s time aboard Prof De La Roque, owned by Postage Stamp Farm of Ridgefield, CT, and despite their sharp inside turns to the final obstacles, they fell just short of the leaders with a time of 38.49 seconds, which held up for second place.
Paige Johnson managed to post the next jump-off round without error riding Dakota, owned by Salamander Farm of The Plains, VA, but although they were able to leave all the rails intact, they broke the beam in 41.38 seconds for fourth place.
It was Max Amaya who slipped into the third place position with Cartier, owned by Stonehenge Stables of Ocean, NJ. They held the same pace as Johnson as they cleared the course, clocking in at 41.36 seconds, just 2/100ths of a second faster, stealing the yellow ribbon and sealing Farrington’s victory.
“This is actually my student Megan Nusz’s horse,” admitted Farrington. “I rode him one time before and I just started riding him here at this show. He’s been a good horse for her; she’s won classes on him as well and she was nice enough to let me ride him for a little bit. He’s careful and a little bit spooky, but he has a very big stride so he likes a lot of support and keep him confident.”
Tomorrow, Farrington will compete in the $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W with his veteran mount Uceko. “That’s been a long time partner of mine,” said Farrington. “He’s had a great season and he’s got some more good rounds in him this year.”
Farrington has been enjoying competing at the American Gold Cup and appreciates all of the efforts that the show has made for the exhibitors and spectators. “The management and the owners of Old Salem Farm are making a real effort to run this as an international level show,” he said. “I think that it is very important for the United States to at least have a couple of events that are run at that standard. The improvements they have made just keep raising the level of the show.”
Earlier in the day, athletes had the opportunity to showcase their skills during the $25,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic. The Alan Wade course began at the far end of the Grand Prix field and tested riders with an oxer-vertical double combination and a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination by the gate. Ten of the 49 starters were faultless over the track, and for the jump-off they began with a new oxer and vertical, followed by the first part of the double combination, and then a sharp bending line before rolling back over the final obstacles and finishing by the gate.
Lillie Keenan posted the first clear jump-off with Pumped Up Kicks, owned by Chansonette Farm of New York, NY, carefully leaving all of the fences intact. Although she had a handy time of 42.315 seconds, there were six entries remaining and the time would only hold up for third place.
Karen Polle of New York, NY, was next with her long-time partner What Ever. Despite this being the horse’s biggest class since returning from an injury, she proved she was ready to win. They made sharp turns and had a big gallop, easily winding their way through the course without error and breaking the beam at 40.663 seconds.
Frances Land of Alpharetta, GA, tried to catch Polle’s time with Vieanne, but for the second day in a row the pair had to settle for second place. They were also very quick and precise, but crossed the finish line in 41.934 seconds. The only other rider to finish the course without incurring any faults Erin Haas aboard As Di Chupito, owned by the North Face Farm of Chesea, MI. In an effort to leave all the rails in place they had a more conservative pace, finishing in 45.560, earning the fourth place ribbon and sealing Polle’s victory.
“The place where I made the most time was my turn to the liverpool, and then I left out a stride to the next vertical, which I didn’t see many people do,” admitted Polle. “My horse is just naturally fast also, so I can cover ground quickly.”
What Ever and Polle have been partnered together for three years, but the mare is just coming back from an injury. “This was her biggest class yet,” smiled Polle. “She started at Lake Placid, but we took it pretty slow. She’s so brave. I can go in and go as fast as I want. I think she’s the only horse that I’ve gotten and I’ve just clicked right away with. As soon as I got her I felt so comfortable and so calm. She just tries so hard for me and even if I make a mistake, she’s always there for me.”
The first class of the day on the Grand Prix Field was the $10,000 Mitchell-Innes & Nash Fine Art Adult Amateur Classic. Patricia Hennessy of Kintnersville, PA, topped the nine-horse jump-off aboard Little Tom with a double clear effort in 27.328 seconds. Elizabeth Lamotte of West Grove, PA, followed her with Spit Fire in second with a time of 29.650 seconds, while Tiffany Field and London, owned by Hidden Brook Farm of Salt Point, NY, rounded out the top three by finishing in 31.844 seconds.
Meanwhile in the Jumper Ring, the day kicked-off with the $5,000 NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic, where the victory went to Madison Charlton riding Petit Flipper for Ellen Mitchell of Bernardsville, NJ. Liana Cohen of New York, NY, and Zoomerang were two seconds short during the tiebreaker for second place, while Grace Foley of New York, NY, and Atlantus took home the third place award.
The $10,000 NAL Low Junior Jumper Classic was next, with just fractions separating the top two competitors. Madison Goetzmann of Westport, CT, set the pace aboard Veronieque during the jump-off, finishing in a clear 35.735 seconds for the win. Michael Hughes was right on her heels, clocking in at 35.926 seconds for the second place honors with Red Hot, owned by Dumnacross Farm of Allendale, NJ. The third place award went to Ali Tritschler riding Velinta Palo Blanco for Norfield Stables of Newtown, CT, and finishing in 36.035 seconds.
The final event was the $10,000 NAL Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Houlihan Lawrence, where a single second determined the placings of the top three finishers in the jump-off. The winning honors went to Francesca Bolfo of New York, NY, aboard U2, while Maria Costa of Wellington, FL, and Reno picked up the second place award. Kenzie Snyder of West Chester, PA, and Waterloo posted a double clear effort that was good enough for the third place prize.
The 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W will conclude tomorrow with the $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W World Cup Qualifier, presented by Suncast, which gets underway at 2:00 p.m. on the Grand Prix Field. The top competitors from around the world will vie for the lion’s share of the prize money and the winning title.
About the American Gold Cup
The American Gold Cup features world-class and Olympic athletes, such as Beezie Madden, reigning FEI Rolex World Cup Champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. Also confirmed to compete are show jumping mega-stars Kent Farrington, Margie Engle, Pan American Games Gold Medalist Christine McCrea and many more, all vying to secure their position at the World Cup Finals in Lyon, France.
The featured event, the coveted $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 and broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, September 22, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, an historic pristine grass Grand Prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world’s most quaint and picturesque competition venue settings. For the past two years, the Old Salem Farm competitions have been recognized by the North American Riders Group (NARG) on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.
For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com or www.theamericangoldcup.com.
43rd Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts
What: The $200,000 American Gold Cup FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W
When: September 11-15, 2013
Where: Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY
Hours:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon
Sunday: Gates open at 11 a.m. with family activities with the $200,000 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W at 2 p.m.
Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.
Stabling:
Stalls are 10 x 10 and housed under canvas. The FEI stalls are 10 x 12 and stabling area will be secured by fencing with 24/7 security. FEI horses will be scheduled to school separately from non-FEI horses. Schedules will be posted and riders will be given notification of times during the horse inspection.
Parking:
Available on the grounds
Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.
Information:
Before Show – before 9/7/12 941-744-5465 800-237-8924
During Show – 914-669-5610 ext 201
Stable office – 941-744-5465
Prize List Advertising – 941-744-5465
Vendors – Matt Morrissey 941-915-3457
Website – www.theamericangoldcup.com
Results:
Results are available at www.ShowNet.biz. Coverage of American Gold Cup will be provided by ShowNet to the USEF Network at: http://usefnetwork.com/.
Televised Broadcast: The 2013 American Gold Cup, Presented by Suncast will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Tickets:
Weekdays: Admission is free to the public
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $15 per person, $10 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.
Gates open at:
Wednesday – Saturday: 8 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.
Tickets are available at the gate and online at www.theamericangoldcup.com.
Jockey Club:
The Jockey Club offers full service gourmet cuisine and beverages for tables of six and eight. Click here to reserve your Jockey Club table. New this year, The American Gold Cup is adding luxury suites for parties of 10 or more on the second floor of the Jockey Club. For more information and to reserve your American Gold Cup luxury suite, contact Matt Morrissey at: matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com.
Charity Partners:
JustWorld International
http://www.justworldinternational.org/
ASPCA
http://aspca.org/
Sponsorship Opportunities:
April Wehle
561.459.9259
aprilw@stadiumjumping.com
Connie Sawyer
518.461.6288
sawyer.equestrianevents@gmail.com
Advertising Opportunities:
Mary Silcox 800-237-8924
mary.silcox@stadiumjumping.com
Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350′x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200′x250′, Schooling 130′x170′. Jumper Annex 146′x307′, Schooling 155′x173′. Indoor 115′x195′, Schooling 74′x135′. Hunter 138′x243′, Schooling 108′x158′. Footing in all arenas is all weather German-designed fiber and sand.
Hotels:
Official Hotel of the American Gold Cup
Danbury Crown Plaza
http://danburyplaza-px.trvlclick.com/
(877) 270 1393
Ridgefield, NY
West Lane Inn (203) 438-7323
Brewster, NY 5-10 min
Heidi’s Motel (845) 279-8011
Mt. Kisco, NY 5-10 min
Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600
Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds
Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000
Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800
Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600
Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776
Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333
Residence Inn (203) 797-1256
Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561.753.3389 Fax: 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com