Tag Archives: Kent Farrington

Farrington Leads the Way with Orafina at SFHJA Charity Horse Show

Kent Farrington and Orafina. ©Anne Gittins Photography.

Wellington, FL – November 23, 2020 – Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) from November 18-22, the 70th Annual South Florida Hunter Jumper Association (SFHJA) Charity Horse Show concluded Sunday following a week of exciting competition. The show was the final installment at PBIEC before the beginning of the ESP Holiday Series, which starts November 24, the first day of the Holiday & Horses CSI4*.

Saturday afternoon featured the highlight jumper event of the competition as Kent Farrington (USA) and his own Orafina jumped to the top of the leaderboard in the $50,000 Spy Coast & Sweet Oak Farm Grand Prix. The 16-effort course set by Eric Hasbrouck (USA) in the International Arena saw 53 horse-and-rider partnerships contest the track, with nine athletes successfully turning in fault-free rounds to advance to the jump-off. Mario Deslauriers (CAN) led the way, and he was soon joined by Ilan Bluman (COL), Santiago Lambre (MEX), Schuyler Riley (USA), and Erynn Ballard (CAN) by the halfway point. In the latter portion of the pack, Willie Tynan (IRL), Kent Farrington (USA), Ashley Vogel (USA), and Ashley Fleischhacker (USA) also added their names to the list.

Following faults from the first five partnerships, Tynan and Michelle Guardino’s Fancy Girl finally turned in the initial clear round of the jump-off as the sixth duo to go in a time of 41.51 seconds to claim the early lead over the abridged pattern. Their top spot did not hold long though, as Farrington and Orafina were the next to follow and galloped to a foot-perfect time of 40.58 seconds. Tynan and Fancy Girl retained the second spot, followed by Fleischhacker on Quadros 3, owned by Ashland Show Stables LLC, in a clear time of 44.817 seconds, the final double-clear partnership.

“Orafina is a great young talent,” commented Farrington of the eight-year-old KWPN mare by For Fashion x Canturo. “She doesn’t have a lot of experience, certainly not like this. Really hats off to the team here that keeps these shows going for us and allows us to keep doing our job and our sport. Early in the season like this, it’s great for these young horses to get into the main ring. Tonight they even got a little taste of going under the lights. All in all, even besides the win, this was a great experience for my horse.”

Saturday’s victory was the second major win for Farrington and Orafina of the week, after also topping the $15,000 Paul Tracy Farrier Services Welcome Stake on Thursday as the quickest clear pair from the 14-horse jump-off. As the second duo to navigate the short course, designed by Hasbrouck, Farrington and Orafina served as the pathfinders with the first double-clear ride of the day, setting a lightning-fast precedent in 38.04 seconds. As the second round of riding progressed with 12 more combinations, it became clear that the frontrunners’ time would hold to claim the top spot by nearly two full seconds.

“Somebody that I work with in Europe, Leon Thijssen, said he had a horse that he thought I would like and would work for me because it’s extremely careful,” remarked Farrington of the new relationship with Orafina. “The plans are to build her up, just like always. Keep doing what we are doing by giving her positive experiences and time to mature. We will let her grow into herself. It was a great first step tonight.”

Though Mark Bluman (COL) and Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) managed to stop the timers slightly quicker than the winning pair, they both did so at the expense of a downed rail to incur four faults. Riding Stone Hill Farm’s Hungry Heart, Jessica Springsteen (USA) earned second place with a clear time of 39.81 seconds, and Jonathon Millar (CAN) rounded out the podium in third aboard Shadow De Shalimar, owned by Isotropic Networks Inc.

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

Kent Farrington and Kaprice Gallop to Victory in $137,000 Noltrex®Vet Grand Prix CSI3*

Kent Farrington and Kaprice © Anne Gittins Photography.

Wellington, FL – November 15, 2020 – The ESP Pre-Charity CSI3* reached its pinnacle Sunday morning as 45 international competitors hailing from 12 nations took to the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) for the $137,000 Noltrex®Vet Grand Prix CSI3*.

Putting in the best performance of the contest, Kent Farrington (USA) and Haity McNerney’s Kaprice rode away with the lion’s share of the prize money as the quickest double-clear pair ahead of a 16-horse jump-off. In the afternoon’s $25,000 JTWG, Inc. National Grand Prix, Santiago Lambre of Wellington, FL piloted his own Mick Jagger to the top of the leaderboard.

“I have an exceptionally fast horse,” reflected Farrington on his winning mount, Kaprice. “If you look at her on the ground she almost looks like a racehorse. She is really light, really lean, and her footspeed across the ground is incredible. She is an unbelievably careful horse, maybe the most careful horse I have ever ridden. She does not want to touch jumps, so that’s a big advantage. She is stepping up to be a grand prix horse, and I tried to use her in some bigger grand prix classes this summer. My plan now is to keep growing her, and hopefully I can have a real grand prix horse there at the end.”

As the very first to go, Tanner Korotkin (USA) and Country Boy were the trailblazers with a foot-perfect ride to set the example, and soon Flo Norris (GBR) and Lorielle 2 forced a jump-off as the second clear pair. As the class progressed over course designer Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) track, 14 more challengers turned in fault-free rides to bring the total number of pairs advancing to the jump-off to 16. The duos eligible for the short course round represented the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Brazil, with the home nation leading the way with the most returners. Farrington was one of the last to qualify, which would allow him to watch how the short course rode prior to his turn over the jump-off track.

Korotkin and Country Boy once again set the standard with a clear ride in 44.22 seconds, but the lead continued to change hands a number of times throughout the tie-breaker round. With six left to ride, the pace had been pushed up to 39.98 seconds by Leslie Howard (USA) and Donna Speciale. Second-to-last to take to the ring, the always-speedy Farrington and Kaprice, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare, galloped around the pattern without letting off the gas, tripping the timers in 39.28 seconds with no faults to rise to the top of the standings. The final pair to ride, Brian Moggre (USA) and MTM Vivre Le Reve, owned by Major Wager LLC, turned in a valiant effort to try to eclipse the leaders, but fell slightly short with a clear time of 39.79 seconds to settle for second place and confirm Farrington and Kaprice as the champions. Howard and Donna Speciale finished the day in third position. In total, 11 partnerships out of the starting list turned in two clear rides.

“I feel very fortunate that our sport is able to continue during difficult times, and hats off to the whole team here that is keeping the show running,” noted Farrington of returning to international competition in Wellington. “I think we are all very grateful and fortunate that we are still holding high-level competitions here in Florida.”

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

Kent Farrington Speeds Creedance to Victory in PMG $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4*

Kent Farrington and Creedance.

Lexington, Ky. – Oct. 29, 2020 – Show jumping took centerstage Thursday at the 137th National Horse Show as partnerships took to the Alltech Arena for the first day of jumper contests, with four classes offering opportunities to collect prize money. The evening’s highlight class, the Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4*, showcased the efforts of top-ranked international challengers hailing from seven nations, namely the United States, Israel, Ireland, Great Britain, Brazil, New Zealand, and Canada. Speeding to the head of the rankings as the most efficient duo of the skilled pack, Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance, the horse he co-owns with Haity McNerney, added another accolade to their lengthy list, topping a 9-horse jump-off field to claim the lead spot in the victory gallop.

Earlier in the afternoon, the EquiJet $5,000 Junior Jumper’s swiftest trip came from Zayna Rizvi and North Run’s Quivive S Z. Turning in the quickest jump-off round ahead of a tight race, Julia Weiss and her own Dior topped the leaderboard in the $5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumpers to kick off their event on a high note.

Attracting the likes of American competitors that included Longines FEI World No. 8 Beezie Madden (USA), No. 10 McLain Ward (USA), No. 11 Farrington, plus international entries such as Daniel Bluman (ISR), Mario Deslauriers (CAN), and Shane Sweetnam (IRL), the Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4* boasted a start list of elite talent. Well-respected veteran course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) crafted the first-round track of 16 efforts, which effectively separated the best performers from the group. The trailblazers, Deslauriers and Uris De La Roque, were the first to go and immediately logged a clear trip, and they were soon joined by Farrington on Creedance, Alex Granato (USA) riding Carlchen W, and Adam Prudent (USA) with Baloutinue. A number of more successful efforts followed from Lillie Keenan (USA) aboard Fasther, Devin Ryan (USA) riding Eddie Blue, David Blake (IRL) aboard Keoki, Sweetnam on Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, and Spencer Smith (USA) with Quibelle to bring the total list of qualified jump-off contenders to nine.

Whittled down to representatives from Canada, the United States, and Ireland, the exhibitors in the tie-breaker round ultimately produced a mere four double-clear performances for the night’s highlight event. Proving why they are consistently ranked one of the top finishers in the world in upper-echelon competitions, Farrington and Creedance set the pace as the first partnership to leave all the rails in their cups for a second time, stopping the clock in 33.25 seconds. Though the seven subsequent teams tried to chase them down, none could catch the swift time set by Farrington and Creedance, solidifying them as the victors. Riding Page Tredennicks’s ever-speedy Carlchen W, Granato jumped to the runner-up spot in a fault-free 33.61 seconds, followed by Keenan and Chansonette Farm LLC’s Fasther in third position in 34.75 seconds to make for an all-American podium.

The day also saw 20 hopeful exhibitors navigate the 15-obstacle pattern of 1.40m fences set by Jorge for the EquiJet $5,000 Junior Jumper class. Following the first round of riding, seven partnerships returned to the Alltech Arena to vie over the abridged jump-off track. Rizvi posed the greatest threat of victory as the only rider with two mounts qualified for the tie-breaker round, and she saved the best for last, galloping Quivive S Z to a clear time of 31.050 seconds to capture the blue ribbon. Elli Yeager nabbed the reserve spot aboard her own Waliba VDL in 32.613 seconds with no faults, and Rizvi added to her success as she bookended the podium as the third and final double-clear rider on Peacock Ridge LLC’s Chaplin W in 35.525 seconds.

Similar to their junior counterparts, the amateur-owner exhibitors tackled the identical 1.40m course for their time in the limelight during the $5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper class. Proving themselves as the clear victors as the only combination to leave all the fences intact, Weiss and Dior mastered the course in a clear time of 74.410 seconds, a lead that would hold as the only fault-free entry, negating the need for a jump-off. With 4 faults in 76.420 seconds, Joanna Wolffer captured second place with the reins on her own HH Earley, and Isabel Harbour earned the third-place honors riding IMH Equine LLC’s Reposado with 5 faults to their name.

To learn more about the 2020 National Horse Show, click here.

Farrington and Jasper Win $10k Bainbridge Companies Open Stake at Rita & Irish Flynn Memorial Show

Kent Farrington and Jasper. ©AnneGittinsPhotography.

September 28, 2020 – The ESP Summer Series wrapped up this Sunday with the Rita & Irish Flynn Memorial Show at Equestrian Village. Kent Farrington of Wellington, FL and Jasper, owned by Tanma Corp. & Farrington, continued their winning streak on the Derby Field in the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies Open Stake with a 37.715-second jump-off. Ronan McGuigan of Wellington, FL rode Blythe Masters’ Elvis to a second-place victory after completing the jump-off in 38.945 seconds. Luis Larrazabal of Wellington, FL claimed the yellow ribbon aboard American, owned by San Francisco Stables LLC, after the pair crossed through the timers in 39.762 seconds.

Sunday’s feature class challenged a total of 21 combinations, with seven returning for the jump-off course, designed by Hector Loyola. Farrington, who also placed fourth with Haity McNerney’s entry Kaprice, explained that he had two different plans going into the class. “With Jasper, I’ve been building him up and competing in all of these classes here. He loves the grass field so I’m taking advantage of that and getting him lots of mileage before season starts. I’m hoping this year, during the [WEF] season they use this grass field a lot more for the bigger classes. And then with Kaprice, I’m starting to build her up a little for the shows that are coming up in the Fall. She needs a lot of confidence, so to practice on a spooky field is actually great training for her. This series is really helping me produce my horses.”

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

Kent Farrington and Kaprice Secure $137,000 EquiSafe Global Grand Prix CSI 3* Win

Kent Farrington and Kaprice ©SportFot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 18, 2020 – In a close finish, Kent Farrington (USA) and Kaprice secured victory in the $137,000 EquiSafe Global Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 39.477 seconds. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) and Akuna Mattata, a 2008 Holsteiner mare (Quinar x Landwind II) owned by Carol Rosenstein and Silver Raven Farms, claimed second place with a clear jump-off score of 40.345 seconds, while Karen Polle (JPN) and her own With Wings, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Larino x L.Ronald), sailed to third place just milliseconds behind with a time of 40.695 seconds.

Farrington and Kaprice, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare (Echo Van T Spieveld x Carthago) that Kent owns with Haity McNerney, bested a class of 37 entries and 10 jump-off contenders, sailing over jumps in the Ken Krome (USA)-designed course.

Free live streaming at www.Tryon.com/streaming.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Kent Farrington and Kaprice Best the Field in $24,999 Osphos Grand Prix at ESP June II

Kent Farrington aboard Kaprice. ©Anne Gittins Photography.

Wellington, FL – June 15, 2020 – The ESP June Spring Series continued last week with a day of Equitation competition on Wednesday, June 10, and four days of USEF “A” National & Jumper 4* competition. The $24,999 Osphos® Grand Prix (plus $600 in add back money) on the Derby Field was the highlight of the weekend, with Kent Farrington of Wellington, FL clinching victory aboard Kaprice, owned by Haity McNerney. The pair crossed through the jump-off timers in 36.17 seconds, besting the field of 43 competitors and pushing Canada’s Erynn Ballard out of the top position. However, Ballard still held on to both second and third place. Capturing the red ribbon aboard Diableur, owned by Emma Waldfogel, in 38.303 seconds and the yellow rosette with Skymaster LLC’s Judge Hof Ter Zeedycke in 38.379 seconds.

Farrington and Kaprice have been competing at the Equestrian Village facility since the May Schooling Shows began and have had a positive experience amidst the ‘new normal’ of horse show competition. “These are crazy times, but I think they’re doing an amazing job here. To be honest, I think we couldn’t ask for any better,” commented Farrington after his win. “Getting to ride out on this field is great. It’s not often we get to train younger horses on a field like this. For me, I have a bunch of young horses here, so I’m just trying to maximize their time by giving them that experience. I’m very grateful for ESP’s efforts.”

As the ESP June Spring Series winds down, Farrington plans to continue working his younger horses at his home base in Wellington: “We’re taking it one step at a time. For right now, it’s too hard to say if we’ll travel for the fall season. I think we’re lucky to have nice farms down here to work out of. It’s a little hot, but all things considered it’s not too bad. Hopefully sometime in the future, the world returns more to normal.”

It was lucky number thirteen again for the number of competitors returning for the second round. Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge designed a challenging course that tested competitors around the field. Natalie Dean of Palo Alto, CA and Paul O’Shea of Wellington, FL completed the podium, finishing in fourth and fifth places, respectively.

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

Kent Farrington and Austria 2 Win $137k Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 CSI5*

Kent Farrington and Austria 2. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2020 – Riding out of the 12th spot in a jump-off field of 19, Kent Farrington (USA) sped through the timers to win the $137,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 CSI5* riding Austria 2, owned by Take the High Road LLC, on Thursday, February 6, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

The first round of the WEF Challenge Cup had 52 entries, and with 19 clear over the course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio and Andy Christiansen Jr., speed was all-important. The early lead was set by Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) and Penelope Cruz, owned by Cournane and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stiller, at 43.15 seconds, which would hold up for fifth place. The leading time dropped down to 41.56 seconds when Olympic individual gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) piloted The Chacco Kid Group’s Chacco Kid around the short course. They would end on a podium finish in third place.

But it was Farrington and Austria 2 as the next pair into the ring that would set a blazing time of 40.68 seconds that would remain untouched for the remaining seven trips.

“I don’t really feel a limit on her; she’s got an unbelievable mentality,” said Farrington of the 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Casall x Corrado I). “That goes a long way, and a horse that really wants to fight for you is a huge part of the battle of doing high level sport.”

Jennifer Bauersachs and Another Love Capture High Performance Conformation Hunter Championship

Hunter competition during Week 5 of WEF continued on Thursday with Jennifer Bauersachs and Another Love claiming champion in the High Performance Conformation Hunter division. The duo won the model and the under saddle, and also received two firsts, a second, and a fourth in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring.

Bauersachs has been partnered with Another Love, who is owned by Meritage Stables LLC, for two years. Last year, Bauersachs, of Frenchtown, NJ, competed the mare successfully in the second year green hunter division. “She’s really brave and reliable,” Bauersachs described of Another Love. “It’s fun because I can count on her and now I feel like I have a real partnership with her.”

Aside from winning both the model and under saddle, Bauersachs and Another Love also scored a pair of 88s to win both over fences classes on the second day of the division. “I ended up in a rubber snaffle with her and she loved it. I think the softness of being able to ride her in that bit definitely stood out,” Bauersachs commented. “I love that she’s a mare! I get along with them well and when they partner with you, they really partner with you.”

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Over $1 Million Distributed to Local Non-Profit Organizations at Great Charity Challenge

Jessica Mendoza and Flashback VDS. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 1, 2020 – Palm Beach County cheered as equestrians and their mounts, representing local non-profit organizations, competed for a share of more than $1 million in prize money at the Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments® (GCC) on Saturday, February 1. Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), the GCC has become a highlight of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and has distributed over $15.8 million to 256 local organizations in 11 years.

The winning team of riders, Jessica Mendoza riding Flashback VDS, Caroline Mewhinney aboard Ballerine de Revel, and first time GCC participant Ana Sofia Rodriguez on Carolina du Toultia Z, sponsored by team sponsor Van Kampen Foundation and corporate sponsor CGM Farms, came in the ring to the music of the Broadway musical “Chicago” and finished with a time of 94.912 seconds. Their strategy and teamwork paid off for Spirit of Giving Network, a local non-profit organization that creates alliances with nonprofit organizations by sharing resources and providing education to strengthen local communities through a variety of causes. They earned the top prize of $150,000. The sliding scale for the balance of the proceeds, down to 24th place, won a minimum of $15,000, ensuring that everyone was a winner.

“The Spirit of Giving is a collaborative non-profit, and we have 72 other non-profit members underneath us that benefit families and children, but we have a lot of variety too,” said Executive Director Lindy Harvey. “So, not only is this helping us, it’s helping 72 other members and thousands of local children. It’s a very big win for us.”

Kent Farrington and Creedance Soar to Stunning Victory in Marshall & Sterling/Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix

U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington and Creedance did what they do best by galloping full tilt to win the $214,000 Marshall & Sterling / Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI4* in the Global Ring at Equestrian Village (home to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival) on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

From a starting field of 39 horses, 11 advanced to the tie-breaking jump-off set by Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima. After pocketing a grand prix win earlier in the season, Mexico’s Santiago Lambre was poised for a repeat before Farrington and Creedance charged into the ring. Farrington utilized the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding’s exceptional speed to steal the lead by just under half of a second.

“Creedance is an exceptional horse; he’s naturally so fast and such a winner,” said Farrington of his mount (Lord Z x Notaris). “He’s unbelievably careful and at the same time very brave. He delivered like he usually does, and I was very proud of him today.

“I try to show him where he likes and not overuse him in places where I don’t think he needs to jump,” continued Farrington on how he manages Creedance’s schedule together with co-owner R.C.G. Farm. “I try every winter when I’m here to pick a few weeks where he comes out. The caliber of horses here is very high, and that’s why I think you saw such a strong result from a lot of people today.”

Augusta Iwasaki Sweeps Champion and Reserve in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under Division

The Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division came to a close on Saturday in the Rost Ring with Augusta Iwasaki riding Heaven’s Dream to the championship. Iwasaki catch rode two horses in the division, but Heaven’s Dream came out on top.

Iwasaki and Heaven’s Dream won two classes on the second day of the division, and also received a second in the under saddle along with fifth and sixth places to rise to the top.

“He’s always game and does whatever is asked of him,” Iwasaki said of Heaven’s Dream, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Arko III.

Iwasaki rode Heaven’s Dream, or “Dreamy”, for owner Isabella Griffin of Hampton Cove, AL. Dreamy was recently imported during the indoors season, so he is still fairly new to showing in the United States. “He’s really beginning to put everything together in the ring,” Iwasaki described. “He is just a cool horse and also really nice to ride.”

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Kent Farrington Tops Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 2

Kent Farrington and Kaprice. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2020 – U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington and Kaprice had the speed to win the $37,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 CSI2* on Thursday, January 16, during the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

The 22-horse jump-off was a who’s who of top sport from a competitive starting field of 103 horses. Farrington utilized Kaprice’s foot speed to stop Oscar Soberon’s (MEX) short track clock at 37.44 seconds over fellow U.S. rider Abigail McArdle riding Victorio 5, who collected a time of 38.36 seconds for owner Victorio Equine Group LLC.

“For this level of competition I’m producing younger horses, so for me it was more about what the horse is ready to do than how fast the class is going,” said Farrington of what shaped his plan for Thursday’s jump-off. “Kaprice is naturally very quick, and she grows in her confidence off riding with a bit of speed because she is extremely careful. It’s an incredible horse and it’s all about keeping her confidence high.”

Scott Stewart Rides Everwonder to Champion in the Equine & Tack Nutritionals Green Hunter 3’9”

For the second week in a row, Scott Stewart and Everwonder earned the championship title for the Green Hunter 3’9” division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. Stewart, of Wellington, FL, rode Everwonder to three first-place ribbons, as well as two second-place finishes to secure champion in the division.

The eight-year-old gelding owned by Ella Bikoff is going into its third season with Stewart. “We bought him when he was a five-year-old stallion from Canada, where he was mostly doing dressage,” Stewart explained. In their first few outings, the pair did a few pre-green classes and had a successful season last year showing in the first year green hunters.

While Stewart will continue to show Everwonder, owner Bikoff, of Whitestone, NY, is also starting to take over the reins. “The idea is to bring him along for Ella to do in the Small Junior Hunters,” said Stewart. Once World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week during week six is finished, the gelding will mainly just show with Bikoff.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Inside the CHI Geneva: Kent Farrington Wins Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final

Photo: Rolex Grand Slam / Ashley Neuhof.

It was another victory for Kent Farrington who claimed the coveted Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final title at CHI Geneva. Partnered with his new bay mare, Austria 2, the fast duo knocked 2.22 seconds off the time set by Ireland’s Darragh Kenny, in spectacular fashion.

That was an incredible performance from Austria 2. What she’s like to ride?

Yes, she’s amazing. I started riding her in May and as soon as I tried her, I thought she was an exceptional horse. She’s really small in stature but she’s got a huge heart and is a tremendous jumper. This is the biggest class she has ever jumped in her life, so to go on and win is amazing; she is unbelievable.

How was the atmosphere?

It was great. It’s my favourite show and maybe even the best in the world; here and CHIO Aachen are very close. The crowd was amazing; everybody wants to win here, especially this class. So it really is a special night.

You have already won two classes here; do you think you can make it a hat trick and win the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday?

I think I can win! I am going to try my best, give it my all, and hope it all comes together on Sunday.

© 2019 Rolex – Rolex Grand Slam