Tag Archives: Kent Farrington

Who to Look Out For at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters 2021

(Photo: Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof)

The CSIO 5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ returns from 8-12 September 2021, and will play host to the second Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major of the year: the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex, which will be staged in the impressive International Arena on the final day of the competition.

After winning the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in April – and in doing so becoming the live contender – Austrian Max Kühner has confirmed his attendance, alongside a stellar list of competitors, including five out of the current top 20-ranked riders in the world, and five Rolex Testimonees. As ever, the five-day competition promises to be a truly international affair, with 15 nations represented, with the hosts welcoming no fewer than 42 of its very own home-grown athletes.

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – Rider Watch

Current world number three Martin Fuchs travels to Calgary brimming with confidence, following Switzerland’s win in the team jumping competition at the European Championships, which he and his gelding, Leone Jei, played a crucial role in. The 29-year-old will be accompanied at Spruce Meadows by his talented 10-year-old gelding, Conner Jei, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at the Jumping International de Dinard.

British rider Scott Brash returns to Spruce Meadows, where he was crowned the first ever Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping champion in 2015 with his legendary gelding, Hello Sanctos. The current world number four brings Hello Vincent to Calgary, with whom he finished a very credible fourth in the Rolex Grand Prix at Knokke Hippique in June.

Fuchs’ compatriot and the current world number 10-ranked rider, Steve Guerdat, has also added the Team European champion accolade to his impressive list of titles. The three-time World Cup champion (2015, 2016, 2019) will compete at Spruce Meadows with his dependable 12-year-old gelding, Venard De Cerisy, who he took to this year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where the duo finished fifth in the Team competition.

Rio 2016 Olympic Team silver medallist Kent Farrington leads the charge of athletes from the United States, and in a clear demonstration of intent, brings seven horses with him to Spruce Meadows. Of note, the current world number 13 will compete with his 15-year-old mare, Gazelle, 14-year-old gelding, Creedance, and nine-year-old hot prospect, Orafina.

Read more here.

© 2021 Rolex – Rolex Grand Slam

Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Takes Centre Stage for 2nd Leg of Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday 7 September 2021 – The prestigious showgrounds of Spruce Meadows in Canada will once again welcome the world’s top horse and rider combinations for the CP ‘International’, presented by Rolex. The esteemed 5* competition, which forms part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, will take place on Sunday 12 September 2021, providing a spectacular finale to the five-day CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament.

Staged in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, the event is widely regarded as the leading equestrian event in North America. Rolex’s affiliation with Spruce Meadows dates back to 1989 and is part of its long-standing support for the sport. For more than six decades, the brand has forged close relationships with elite international events and athletes who share its commitment to perpetual excellence.

Launched in 2013, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is the most coveted prize in equestrianism, rewarding the rider who wins the Grand Prix at three of the four Majors in succession. To date, Scotland’s Scott Brash is the only competitor to achieve the feat, having done so in 2014-2015 with Hello Sanctos.

To aspire to the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping requires a unique harmony between horse and rider, a special bond crafted over years with infinite patience, care, and expertise. Once trust and communication have been established, a pairing can push the boundaries and confront all obstacles placed before them. The bar is almost impossibly high, which is why only the finest riders keep rising to it.

The CP ‘International’ is the Grand Slam’s second Grand Prix of 2021. Max Kühner will head to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament as the Rolex Grand Slam live contender following his victory at The Dutch Masters in April.

As the winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in 2019, World No. 3 and recent European Championship team gold and individual silver medallist Martin Fuchs travels to Canada with the opportunity to claim a bonus for winning two of the past four Rolex Grand Slam events. He will be joined by compatriot Steve Guerdat, who will be looking to add this title to his long list of honours, which includes individual gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Rolex Grand Prix victories at CHI Geneva and CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Scott Brash, the current World No. 4, is a two-time Grand Prix winner at this venue, including in 2015 when he completed the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. He will return full of confidence following excellent recent results, including a victory in the Netherlands on the eve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where he finished equal seventh in the individual jumping competition.

Canada’s Eric Lamaze will also be seeking his third Grand Prix title, at an event where he has enjoyed so much success, and Kent Farrington will join in taking on the testing course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Farrington heads to the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in top form following a successful week at the CSI Spruce Meadows ‘National’, culminating in victory in the RBC Grand Prix of Canada with his exceptional 15-year-old mare, Gazelle.

Virginie Chevailler
Rolex SA
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 (0) 22 302 2619

Merrick Haydon
rEvolution
mhaydon@revolutionworld.com
+44 (0) 7748 186 833

Kent Farrington Wins HUBSIDE JUMPING’s CSI 5* Grand Prix

Copyright: HUBSIDE JUMPING – Stefano Secchi.

Last weekend, the HUBSIDE JUMPING on the French Riviera already came to a close with the Star-Spangled banner being played in the Haras des Grillons de Grimaud’s big ring, honouring Jessica Springsteen’s victory in the 4* Grand Prix. An additional star and few days later, her fellow countryman Kent Farrington, the current World number five, won with the aptly named Gazelle, in a magnificent jump-off.

Kent Farrington (USA): “It’s always great to win a 5* Grand Prix, like this one here near Saint-Tropez, for my first participation in the HUBSIDE JUMPING. Maybe Sadri Fegaier could organise shows in the United States as I regularly win at his European shows [Kent and Gazelle have already won the HUBSIDE JUMPING de Valence’s Grand Prix twice, which Sadri Fegaier also organises — editor’s note]. More seriously, I would especially like to thank Sadri Fegaier and his team: we went through a difficult period and we need people like him, enthusiasts who do so much for our sport. I take my hat off to him for building a complex like this for horses and the sport, and for organising such great shows. I went last in the jump-off and Julien Epaillard was in the lead.  He is renowned for going really fast, even in the States.  So I had to give it my all! I really focused on Gazelle’s natural speed, and I was extremely careful: for example, a double in the jump-off can be dangerous at these speeds; additionally, I was really careful on the last oxer. I helped Gazelle and in particular on these two parts of the course, that could have been difficult for her. Next week I am going to stay here to rest and then I will be competing in Windsor, and we’ll see after that depending on how my horses are.”

Full results here.

Daniel Koroloff – E-mail: daniel@blizko-communication.com

Kent Farrington and Orafina Are Two for Two at TIEC

Kent Farrington and Orafina ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 6, 2021 – Kent Farrington (Wellington, FL) and Orafina dominated the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) to close out Tryon Spring 5 competition, stopping the jump-off timers in 34.862 for the win. In reserve, Aaron Vale (Williston, FL) and Major, the 2007 Danish Warmblood (Carmargue x Pinot) owned by Don Stewart, sped through the short course to claim second place after their 36.131-second jump-off performance. Conor Swail (Wellington, FL) and Koss Van Heiste earned third place after stopping the timers in 36.323 on behalf of Eadaoin Aine Ni Choileain PC with the 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Breemeersen Adorado x Hadise Van Heiste).

The Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) track saw 27 entries take on the first round of competition, with nine pairs returning for the jump-off test. Kent Farrington and the 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (For Fashion x Corofina) also topped the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* on Thursday, making them two-for-two on the week.

“The week went pretty well,” Farrington recapped after producing a comfortably fast round to take the win and shut out any subsequent challengers. “I brought a bunch of young horses here, and this is one that’s still developing, even though she’s won some international classes already.”

Farrington chose to travel from Europe to TIEC for one week of competition with his younger mounts, and will jet back to Europe and reunite with his top mounts next week. For horses like Orafina, Farrington chose to compete at Tryon Spring 5 to continue her education at a lower level. “She’s only nine, and she wasn’t saddle broken until she was six. She’s unbelievably careful, and she just needs rounds and experiences to grow her confidence. I’m really happy with her for the week.”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Kent Farrington and Orafina Win $37k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

Kent Farrington and Orafina ©Shannon Brinkman.

Mill Spring, NC – June 3, 2021 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Orafina scored a win in the $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) at the start of Tryon Spring 5 competition, stopping the jump-off timers at 36.926 for the win. In reserve, Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo D Arsouilles STX x Farmer) owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, cleared the short course in 37.994 seconds, while Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Gakhir, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Spartacus x Indorado) owned in partnership by Esperanza Imports, LLC and Ilan Ferder, scored the yellow rosette with a time of 38.888 over the jump-off track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA).

After 59 entries challenged the first round of the competition, seven pairs were invited to test the jump-off track. Farrington and his own 2012 Dutch Warmblood mare (For Fashion x Canturo) have been partnered for less than a year, and have been starting small, he reported: “We started very small, and she’d only shown up to 1.35m. She’s come on strong in the last eight or nine months, and she has a lot of potential,” he said. “She’s unbelievably careful, so we’ll have to determine how big she wants to jump, but whatever level she does I think she’s going to be very competitive.”

With several smooth rounds produced in the jump-off contest, Farrington chose to ride the course in a way that would help her grow as an athlete, he shared about his jump-off strategy. “She has a very big stride, and I’ve been working on her turns and her rollbacks. I thought she did that very well today. It’s been a struggle for her in the past to rollback right, [quickly] to a vertical, which was jumps two to three in this jump-off. She’s coming on strong, so I’m very happy with her progress.”

Erynn Ballard and Bettina des Celtes Keep the Streak Going with $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* Win

Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Bettina des Celtes dominated Wednesday’s $37,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* at TIEC, navigating the speed phase of the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) course design in a time of 24.373 seconds. In reserve, Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Boheme de Fleyres, the 2011 Selle Francais mare (Vargas de STE Hermelle x Easy Boy) she owns in partnership with Little Valley Farms, cleared the course in 25.879 seconds, while third place went to Rowan Willis (AUS) and Wellington Grey Goose, his own 2011 British-bred mare, after their 25.893-second performance over the speed test.

Ballard and the 2011 Selle Francais mare (New Boy de Logerie x Cumano) owned by Ilan Ferder were one of 36 entries to challenge the power component of the course, with 22 pairs continuing on to the speed phase. Ballard, who now has six wins under her belt and one podium finish in her last seven outings at TIEC, was able to watch most of the class and noticed that the course offered minimal opportunities to trim the number of strides between fences, but that by taking a longer route in one turn, she could set herself up to be tighter to the liverpool.

“Today was a really interesting class,” she recapped. “I actually got to sit and watch a lot. There wasn’t a huge opportunity to do more or fewer strides than everybody else. It stayed very close. The first jump in the speed portion was the green vertical at the end of the combination and everybody was going inside [to the liverpool] afterwards. I really felt that the inside turn put you on the outside [track] to get back to the liverpool.

“They were doing seven or eight [strides] and I said to Ilan [Ferder], ‘I really believe I can still do eight to the end jump, but get there in a better way, and I can be much faster to the liverpool.’ So I did seven to the Liverpool.” Ballard revealed that her later position in the order of go was helpful in securing the win, as well. “I was lucky enough that I went late, so nobody really picked up on that. Today I think it was a class that the strides really played a big role, because it was so close. To be able to leave out a stride like that to that particular jump, I think gave me an edge.”

Matt Williams and FR Yandoo Pennsylvania Win $2,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

Matt Williams (AUS) competed in the irons with FR Yandoo Pennsylvania, his own 2012 Australian-bred mare owned in partnership with Brigio Williams, winning the $2,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* with a speed phase time of 29.744 seconds. In reserve, Daniel Pedraza (MEX) and Santa Rosa Yalta, the 2012 Mexican Sport Horse mare owned by Proyectos Agricolas sa de CV, stopped the timers in 30.648 seconds, while Rachel Lindsey (USA) claimed third on a speed phase time of 32.28 with Comander 16, her own 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Coup de Coeur x Lupicor). Thirty entries navigated the power phase of the track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) with 17 horse-and-rider pairs continuing on to the speed phase of the course.

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Farrington Fantastic in Turf Tour 2021 Finale

Kent Farrington and Kaprice.

Wellington, FL (March 3, 2021) – USA’s Kent Farrington proved once again that he is the cream of the crop, besting a field of top horses and riders to win the final $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix of 2021. A modern master of the jump-off, Farrington and the sporty 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Kaprice (Echo Van T Spieveld x Electra Van T Roosakker) blazed across the green grass of Polo West to beat out rounds by USA’s Ashlee Bond, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny, Germany’s Wilhelm Genn, and other international Grand Prix riders to win the day on the Turf Tour.

Farrington and Kaprice were regular winners on the 2021 Turf Tour, taking blues in the weekly $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classics and $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix multiple times. The exceptionally speedy Kaprice made quick work of the first round, and then flew around the jump-off late in the class to finish on 37.298 seconds, edging out the previous leaders, Darragh Kenny and GK Casper, by almost 2 seconds. Kenny and Casper, who have won the most Turf Tour classes of any combination this season, jumped off in 38.909 seconds. Third place went to the final ride of the day, Ryan Genn and VDL Genius T, in 40.424 seconds.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Kent Farrington and Creedance Are Uncatchable in $73k CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI5*

Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL — March 14, 2021 — In the $73,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI5*, the final class of the day in the International Arena for the ninth week of the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance, owned by Farrington and Haity McNerney, were uncatchable for victory on Sunday, March 14.

A total of 59 horse-and-rider combinations took their shot against Alan Wade’s (IRL) track. Featuring a line-up of 11 entries, the jump-off promised to be a hard-won effort, but the Farrington was a force to be reckoned with and ultimately secured the win.

Wade’s top courses have been well-planned and challenging all week, and his last course of the week held true. A lengthy number of competitors missed the chance to return for the jump-off by a single unfortunate rail while several others suffered time infractions.

Combinations that returned for the jump-off included top athletes such as Farrington, Daniel Deusser (GER), and McLain Ward (USA). Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann was the first to complete the second track fault-free after crossing the timers in 35.10 seconds with the Portfolio Horses, LLC’s Glamour Girl. His effort with the 10-year-old KWPN mare (VDL Zirocco Blue x Moonlight II) was enough to secure the third place ribbon at the end of the class. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) flew into second place with his own H5 Quintol. He and the 16-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quintender x Cento managed an efficient time of 34.83 seconds but was still well behind the class leader.

Vivian Golden and Ava Barnes Top the Always Faithful Equestrian Club Medium Pony Hunter Division

Thirty-five pony hunter riders competed for the tricolor ribbon in the Medium Pony Hunter division, sponsored by Always Faithful Equestrian Club, in Ring 11 on Sunday. Due to the large number of entries, the class was held in a California split format and awarded two champions. Vivian Golden, of Reading, PA, piloted her own Goldhills As You Like It to the Section A championship, and Ava Barnes, of Liberty TWP, OH, aboard Ellie Sadrian’s Cleverist, earned the Section B top prize.

Golden has already been in the winner’s circle this week after she topped the $5,000 USHJA Pony Derby with D’Artagnan on Friday. Her success continued through the weekend with her long-time partner, Goldhills As You Like It. Golden and the 13-year-old Welsh Pony mare by Gayfields Call the Cops earned three firsts, a second, and a fifth place ribbon in the division to claim top honors.

“This is my third WEF on her,” explained Golden. “We have been together for a little while now, and she’s such a good girl and I love her so much. She has such a funny personality, and she goes to every show with us.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Twice Is Nice for Kent Farrington and Austria 2 at $137k NetJets Grand Prix CSI3*

Kent Farrington (USA) and Austria 2. © Sportfot.

January 31, 2021 – Wellington, FL – Coming off a win in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 on Friday, Kent Farrington and Austria 2, owned by Take The High Road, LLC, put on yet another display of speed and precision to capture the $137,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI3* on Sunday, January 31, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

A total of 45 combinations challenged the track set by Peter Grant (CAN) and Joey Rycroft (CAN) with 12 qualifying to return for the jump-off. Farrington and the 13-year-old Holsteiner mare by Casall x Corrado took off at a full gallop and didn’t stop, crossing the timers in 39.13 seconds. The pair elected to do 12 strides to the second jump on course, while most of their competitors two or three less [strides], which gave Farrington and Austria 2 the opportunity to angle the Lugano Diamonds oxer for a more direct route to the third jump on course.

Aundrea Hillyard and Chiccobello Win Large Pony Hunters

The Large Pony Hunter division came to an end on Sunday in Ring 11 on Pony Island with the crowning of the champion. Aundrea Hillyard and Agatha Lignelli’s Chiccobello were unstoppable and won every class in the division to take home the tricolor ribbon.

Hillyard, of Lewisburg, PA, is a working student for Hidden Ridge Inc., which is how she got the catch ride on Chiccobello. Trainer Evan Coluccio was thrilled with the outcome and also to give the “amazing and hardworking” rider the opportunity.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Kent Farrington and Austria 2 Win the $37k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round 3

Kent Farrington and Austria 2. © Sportfot.

January 29, 2021 – Wellington, FL – Kent Farrington (USA) and Austria 2, owned by Take the High Road, LLC, set the tone as the first pair to return for the jump-off and could not be caught, making light work of the shortened track to take home top honors in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 on Friday, January 29, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Taylor Landstrom and Francesca Guidi Top the EMO Insurance USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal

Friday morning began with 55 equitation riders competing for the blue ribbon in the EMO Insurance USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal at Ring 6. The class was held in a California split format with Taylor Landstrom riding Inferno to the Section A first place ribbon and Francesca Guidi piloting Come Monday to the Section B win.

The equitation medal consisted of two rounds, an over-fences phase and a flat test, for the top 10 riders of both Section A and Section B. Landstrom, of Excelsior, MN, and her own Inferno tackled the over-fences phase with ease and earned a score of 87 to put them at the top of the class.

“I picked up my canter and once we found the first jump, the rest of the course fell into place,” described Landstrom. “He knew what his job was, and I did my job, so I couldn’t have been happier.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Kent Farrington and Austria 2 Land the $37,000 Holiday & Horses 1.45m Opener CSI4*

Kent Farrington and Austria 2. ©Anne Gittins Photography.

Wellington, FL – November 25, 2020 – International competition returned to the main grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) to kick off the ESP Holiday Series with the $37,000 Holiday & Horses 1.45m Opener CSI4*, presented by Dover Saddlery, on Wednesday, November 25.

Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) created a track of 15 efforts for the class, which was run under an altered power-and-speed format. The first nine fences constituted the first phase, and the final six jumps made up the second phase, with riders continuing to the latter portion of the course even if they had faults in the first set of obstacles. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Cadans Z, owned by Starlight Farms 1 LLC, set the bar as seventh in the order with a speedy second phase time of 27.717 seconds and held on to that position until Kent Farrington (USA) and Austria 2 flew through the speed phase in 25.999 seconds. Less than a second behind the second-place finisher was Andrew Bourns (IRL) and his own Darquito, who landed in third with a clear time of 27.836 seconds.

“This will be my second WEF with Austria 2. I’ve been riding her for two years now,” remarked Farrington of the 2008 Holsteiner mare by Casall x Corrado I owned by Take the High Road, LLC. “She’s been an amazing little horse; she wins tons of classes. She has jumped some huge grand prix classes, she’s fast enough to win a speed class, and she’s brave enough to win the top ten final at Geneva. I think that really shows her versatility and her heart.”

Although Farrington will be showing all week, he shared that he does intend to have family time on Thanksgiving. “My mom and my sister are both here, so I always try to spend a little time with my family,” he said.” I’m thankful for the team here that has put protocols in place that allow us to compete under these circumstances. I feel very fortunate to be here.”

The day began with the $1,000 Bainbridge 1.40m CSI4*, which had 53 entries compete over the first-round course. Time proved to be a factor as 19 pairs were kept from the jump-off due to only one or two time faults, still leaving a whopping 24 fault-free teams eligible for the jump-off, 21 of which were double clear. In the end, Liubov Kochetova (RUS) emerged victorious riding her own Trevita (Graf Top x Stakkato) in a time of 32.72 seconds. The duo saved the best for last as the final partnership to ride over the abridged jump-off pattern, just edging out second-place finishers Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Vienna, who finished the course in 33.53 seconds. Anna Dryden (USA) rounded out the top three aboard Van Schijndel’s Double Bee, owned by Double Meadows Farm LLC, in 33.93 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.