Tag Archives: Kent Farrington

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Farrington and Gazelle Gallop to Victory in $86k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

March 28, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Gazelle. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Sherri Geddes and Geddaway Top the Farmvet Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 Section B

Wellington, FL – March 27, 2016 – Week 11 of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded on Sunday, March 27, featuring the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, held on the derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). For the second week in a row, the 1.50m win went to USA’s Kent Farrington, this time aboard his own and Robin Parsky’s Gazelle. He topped week ten’s $35,000 1.50m aboard RCG Farm’s Creedance. The 12-week WEF circuit comes to a close for 2016 with one more week of competition through April 3.

Forty-one entries jumped in Sunday’s 1.50m competition on the derby field with six clear rounds over the Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER)-designed track. In the jump-off, Egypt’s Abdel Said and American Equestrian Association’s California set the pace with a clear round in 41.12 seconds to eventually finish fifth. Adam Prudent (FRA) and Plain Bay Sales’ Vasco were next to go, finishing with four faults in a time of 50.70 seconds after a refusal on course, to place sixth. Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman’s Cannavaro BH jumped off next with a clear round in 40.25 seconds to take fourth place honors.

Farrington and Gazelle followed with the winning round in 38.33 seconds. Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Homer de Reve, owned by Stephex Stables and VDB Equestrian Stables, followed with the second place time of 38.61 seconds. Last to go, Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Nordic Lights Farm’s NLF Favorite jumped into third place with a time of 38.99 seconds.

Gazelle, a Belgian Warmblood mare by Kashmir Van Shuttershof x Indoctro, is just ten years old, and Farrington has been trying her out in different classes over the winter.

“She is still a green horse for the big sport,” the rider noted. “I had her jump a couple of grand prixs at the beginning of the circuit. She jumped the first 4* and I think she was a low ribbon. Then I threw her in a 5* and it went okay, but she was a bit green and I had two down. I thought the horse was quite careful, so then I thought she needed a few smaller rounds so she stayed confident. I did a few 1.40m classes just to get her confidence back and then I brought her out here. She loves the grass. She jumps fantastic on the grass, and I was really pleased with her performance and her progress through the winter. She really rallied back.”

Speaking of the course and the opportunity to jump on the grass field, Farrington stated, “I thought Olaf did a great job of designing all week. For me, it is a real pleasure to come over here and jump at a different venue other than the same rings for the 12-week circuit. It is a luxury to give our horses a different place to compete, and in my opinion, that is the best thing that we can do for the winter circuit.”

Detailing his jump-off, Farrington explained, “My plan for the jump-off was to go fast. I know that those other horses are pretty competitive. I tried to go what I would call a competitive, fast round, without going all out. The margin was pretty small at the end and today it played into our hand.”

Farrington is still deciding whether Gazelle will compete in the $130,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final next Saturday. He will then figure out her summer tour, but noted that he is taking her plans one step at a time for the moment.

Sherri Geddes and Geddaway Top the Farmvet Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 Section B

Sherri Geddes and her longtime mount Geddaway earned the championship tricolor this week in the Farmvet Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 Section B. Geddes placed second and fourth over fences on Saturday, then topped both over fences classes on Sunday to clinch the championship win. Geddaway also earned a fifth place ribbon in the under saddle, bringing his point total for the week to 29. Victoria Watters and Beckham settled for the reserve title after netting 28.5 points. Watters topped the under saddle and earned a first, two thirds, and a sixth over fences with the six-year-old Warmblood gelding.

Geddes, of Jacksonville, FL, owns and operates out of Geddaway Farm. She has developed a special partnership with Geddaway since she purchased him in 2005. “I have had him for a long time so I know him inside and out,” Geddes remarked.

Geddes has been competing with Geddaway, a 17-year-old Rhinelander gelding, in the Adult Hunter divisions for ten years. “I got him from a lady who competed him in the amateurs, but I have always done the adults,” she explained.

Earning the championship tricolor this week was especially gratifying for Geddes, who has been working all circuit on becoming more consistent with the gelding. “I’m really excited because it’s been a little bit of a difficult year with this horse. He’s a great horse, but we’ve been having a little bit of a challenging year, so it’s really great to have it all come together,” she explained.

Geddes was thrilled she won both over fences classes on Sunday afternoon. “Today felt really, really good. I felt like I finally pulled it all together,” Geddes remarked. “Today it all clicked.”

Geddaway has quite the personality, Geddes stated, but when he is in the show ring, he is all business. “He’s very athletic so when he goes out in the paddock he can buck like no other. His stride is massive, he is very rideable, and he doesn’t care about anything. He is never scared of the jumps,” she said.

It was important to Geddes to finish out the circuit strong with her elderly mount because she plans to retire him at the end of this year. “I hope to finish out this year with him, but he will probably be retiring soon. I’ve had him for a long time, and he’s had a good life,” she stated.

It will be hard for Geddes to retire her longtime mount, but she does have some new horses that she is excited about bringing along. “He’s hard to give up because he’s my special boy,” Geddes smiled. “He’s just really sweet and really laid back. He’s really easy to be around.”

Geddes credits her trainer Andrew Lustig, the team at Geddaway Farm, and of course her mount Geddaway for all of her success. “I’m a very lucky girl!” she said.

The 2016 WEF circuit concludes with its twelfth and final week of competition, sponsored by Rolex, running March 30 – April 3, 2016. The week highlights the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5*, the $130,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final, and much more. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Farrington and Creedance Win $35k Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic at WEF

March 21, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Creedance. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Mimi Gochman Claims Top Prize in the Large Pony Hunters aboard Storyteller

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2016 – Week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Horseware Ireland, concluded on Sunday, March 20, featuring the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBEC). The class saw a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance, with Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Picolo in second, and Abdel Said (EGY) aboard Luron S Z third. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set the final track for this week’s 1.50m for 55 starters, with ten clear rounds, and six double clear entries in the jump-off. Abdel Said set a fast pace with Luron S Z, owned by AS Sport Horses and Philippe de Balanda BVBA, in a time of 31.05 seconds to eventually place third. Ben Maher (GBR) followed with the fifth place time of 33.20 aboard Stone Hill Farm’s Carolina 31. Kim Prince (USA) and Rushy Marsh Farm’s RMF Swinny du Parc jumped next with a clear round in 33.35 seconds to place sixth.

Farrington was next to clear the short course with RCG Farm’s Creedance, taking the lead in 30.32 seconds. Edward Levy (FRA) and Remarkable Farms’ Wirma jumped into fourth place with their time of 32.16 seconds. Last to go, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Oakland Ventures’ Picolo moved into second place with a time of 30.79 seconds.

Farrington got Creedance, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) one year ago and has been taking his time to bring the horse along and work on his rideability.

“He is still very green; he has not done a whole lot, but I think he could be a really special horse,” Farrington detailed. “He is extremely hot, so it has taken a little while to make him manageable, but he is a real jumper, and he is like a Jack Russell Terrier in the ring. He reminds me of an old horse I had called Up Chiqui, who was an exceptional horse. I think this horse has a lot of similar characteristics, and if I can teach him to harness his energy, I think he could be something special.”

Speaking of his winning jump-off, Farrington stated, “The horse is already fast all by himself, so that is a big advantage. Before, his steering was not so good, but we have really been working on that for a while without the speed. Today, I let him go a little bit quicker, but he has the advantage that both, he can turn really short to the fences, and he is very fast across the ground naturally.”

Creedance jumped week ten’s WEF Challenge Cup along with Sunday’s 1.50m. Farrington plans to show him in week eleven’s WEF Challenge Cup as well, and will then decide if the gelding is ready to try the grand prix.

“I am not sure yet. He is just nine years old, so I will see how that goes and decide what the next move is,” Farrington noted.

The rider also spoke of Sunday’s course and the tracks throughout the week set by Canada’s Michel Vaillancourt, who is also an Olympic individual silver medalist.

“I think Vaillancourt is one of the top designers, and I am always happy when he builds because I think it is a technical course without crazy size,” Farrington remarked. “He usually ends up with the right amount clear. I thought he did a great job with the grand prix on Saturday. It was a mixed field of horses, and he did not end up with a million clear, and we had a good class without it being impossible to jump. I think he is one of the best builders we have around here.”

Also competing in the International Ring on Sunday, Teddy Vlock and Vlock Show Stables’ Onyx du Haut Bois won the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumper Classic. The $10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic concluded the day with a win for Kelly Tropin and Libertas Farms LLC’s Adorose.

Mimi Gochman Claims Top Prize in the Large Pony Hunter Aboard Storyteller

The competitive Large Pony Hunter division came to a close Sunday morning in Ring 12 with Mimi Gochman and Storyteller crowned this week’s champions. Rain clouds gave way to the sunshine as Gochman and Storyteller rode to wins in both over fences classes on Sunday morning. The pair also earned a first and sixth place finishes over fences on Saturday, and took home second in the under saddle. Storyteller is a 13-year-old German Sport Pony gelding owned by Fair Play Farm.

Mimi’s sister Sophie Gochman and Scott Stewart’s Westside settled for the reserve title. Westside, a 13-year-old Warmblood gelding, placed second in the under saddle and earned two seconds, a third, and a sixth over fences.

While Sophie and Mimi often compete against each other in the Large Pony Hunter division, the siblings support each other more than they rival against each other. “We’re pretty civil about competing with each other,” Mimi Gochman explained.

Eleven-year-old Mimi Gochman trains with the teams at Baxter Hill and Rivers Edge. Her primary trainers are Scott Stewart, Ken Berkley, and Amanda Derbyshire, all of whom Gochman credits for her success. She is remarkably poised and well-spoken for such a young rider, likely due to the great deal of success she has already enjoyed during her young career.

“I’ve been riding since I was 18 months old,” Gochman proudly stated. Her mother Becky Gochman is a highly successful amateur rider, whose love of the sport influenced her daughters’ desire to show.

Mimi Gochman, who recently moved to Wellington, FL with her family full-time, has been riding Storyteller for two years. The pair has enjoyed a great deal of success during that time together, notably winning the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals at the Washington International Horse Show this past October.

“Storyteller is a very sweet pony. He’s very easy to ride and very adjustable,” Gochman remarked. “He’s strong and he’s sturdy, and I can always trust him to get me around the ring safely.

“Storyteller is just easy in general to steer and to get going” Gochman continued. “He’s a good listener; he listens to my hand and my leg which is really nice.”

Storyteller performs especially well in the handy hunter classes, which the pair earned a blue ribbon in this week. “His nickname is ‘Handy King’ because he’s very good at turning,” Gochman laughed. “That really comes in handy when we have to take the tight turns in the handy classes!”

Along with Storyteller, Gochman also competes with Lululemon, who is a green pony owned by Rivers Edge. They compete together in the Large/Medium Green Pony Hunter division.

Outside of the show ring Gochman enjoys playing tennis, counting it as one of her favorite hobbies. “I also like to read a lot,” she added.

Gochman and Storyteller will continue to show in the Large Pony Hunter division for the remainder of the WEF circuit.

The 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its eleventh week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, on March 23-27, 2016. The week highlights the $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, March 26. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Kent Farrington and Uceko Speed to Victory at Wellington Masters

February 8, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Uceko claim the win in the $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping in Wellington. (FEI/Anthony Trollope)

Wellington, Florida, 8 February 2016 – A field of 40 of the world’s best set their sights on Sunday’s $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping in Wellington, but it was Kent Farrington (USA) who claimed top honors aboard Uceko at the inaugural Wellington Masters CSI3*-W. Beating a jump-off field of 14, the seasoned horse-and-rider pair expertly omitted strides throughout the track designed by Alan Wade (IRL) to finish just over two-and-a-half seconds ahead of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Fibonacci.

“My horse is very experienced, and I know he has a giant stride,” said Farrington. “I left out a step from jump one to two, and I think for sure, I did one less (than third place finisher Richard Spooner) in the rollback to the combination. Also, to the next one (after the double combination), I was really aggressive in using his gallop. I think knowing that horse like I do, I can take advantage of his stride early on in the course.”

As much as Farrington could use his jump-off strategy for his horse, the overall plan to use Uceko for the FEI World Cup™ qualifier stemmed from the show’s early proposal to hold the class on the turf field. But inclement weather interfered and forced organisers to move the penultimate East Coast event to the sand arena.

“Originally, it was going to go on the grass, and he’s really well suited to grass arenas, so that was my plan,” Farrington said. “Obviously that changed. I was a little concerned that that wouldn’t play to his strengths, but he proved me wrong.

“He usually goes best with a really impressive ring, or in an intimidating setting for most horses, and this is usually where he shines so that’s why I try to pick spookier venues or grass arenas that have bigger, impressive jumps. It wasn’t really playing to his strengths today, but he pulled it off anyway, so I’m really happy with him.”

“I kept the distances normal,” said Wade. “As you can see, some of the better horses and riders over two rounds came to the top. We had a few too many clear rounds, but I think that the conditions, windy and wet last night, followed up with good sport.”

Olympic dreams

With the Rio 2016 Olympics a few months away, all three podium finishers referred to upcoming schedules that allowed for the possibility to travel to Brazil.

“Rio would definitely be my goal,” said Michaels-Beerbaum. “(Fibonacci is) shortlisted for the German team at the moment, so I’ll make a plan together with the Chef d’Equipe about what he should do to keep going. He showed great form today and we just hope to keep that going.”

A newer partnership, Spooner (USA) and Big Red are also making a play to be considered for the U.S. Team, although the veteran rider is keeping realistic expectations.

“I got him the middle of the first week (in Wellington), so it’s a fresh partnership, and I couldn’t be any happier with the result today,” he said. “When he got here, I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to be very aggressive. It would be nice if I could have four faults and have a nice result and maybe have a point or two at this class.’ So to go out and go double clear far exceeds my expectations.

“We would be a longshot for the Team but I’m gearing him for the Team,” he added. “I think he’s a Team horse; he’s impressed me incredibly in a very short period of time, and round after round, he’s been consistently clear. I’m learning a bit with him in the jump off, as well as the first round, but he has all the scope, he’s super careful, he’s fit and ready to go, so it will be a little bit about what (U.S. Chef d’Equipe) Robert Ridland wants to do and if he gears me in that direction or not. But that would be my dream for that horse.”

Spooner revealed plans to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE) and to use the major championship event as an additional opportunity to learn the horse in advance of the Olympics. “I really want to feel confident on the horse, and that if Rio were to be in his future I would feel 100 percent confident in our ability to do that,” he said.

Top-level management

Although Farrington didn’t specify his Olympic plans, he hinted at the possibility from his decision to not travel to Gothenburg (SWE) in March for FEI World Cup™ Final.

“I’ll probably give him (Uceko) a bit of a rest now and do a class here and there and save him for the summer, Calgary and Europe,” he said. “I try to pick the venues where he’ll really shine.

“I just work him at home. He’s getting really fit and he doesn’t really need to practice in the ring. He’s been around the world a couple times. He’s better the less he shows, so I just try to have him fit and feeling good, and pull him out at some of the bigger events.”

The careful management of his string of horses is a key factor in the success for Farrington, who is currently ranked world number 3 in the Longines Rankings.

“He’s learned to be a fast horse,” he said of his winning mount. “He actually was not a fast horse when I started with him. He has a long stride and sort of a slow canter, and as I’ve gotten to know him really well, he’s been able to turn really short to the fences and leave out strides where other horses can’t. Now for a jump off, I really have his plan and I’m very confident about what he can do and I try to execute to the best of my abilities. And usually, if I don’t make a big error, he pulls it off.”

New venue for a new League

The Wellington leg of the inaugural season for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League was hosted by Deeridge Farms, a private property owned by the Jacobs family since 1980. Rarely used for competitions, the riders applauded the event’s organisers for handling the week’s unexpected weather issues and for executing the unique and top-level event.

“It’s a three-year commitment to host the World Cup qualifier here at Deeridge Farms, so we’re looking forward to next year,” said Louis Jacobs (USA), co-president of the event. “We learned a lot this year, and we all had fun. It was a great family endeavor. So we’re excited about what’s in the future.”

The vision behind the event stemmed from acknowledging Wellington as the country’s capital of high-performance horse sport through the winter months and providing competitors with an opportunity to earn World Cup points at the centre of the action.

Jacobs’ brother, Charlie, also served as co-president, in addition to competing throughout the week and in the FEI World Cup™ qualifier class.

“It’s a beautiful event here at Deeridge Farms,” Farrington said. “I think these facilities are amazing and really exciting for our sport and for show jumping in Florida for us to have this competition. This calibre of competition is really exciting for all of us as riders.”

“I’m delighted to be here,” Michaels-Beerbaum said. “This was a great honor to be able to ride here today. I thank the Jacobs family. This was their first event, and it’s amazing how beautifully it was put on and professionally, as well. We’re excited about coming back next year and perhaps getting to go on the grass field. I think all the riders feel the same that this has been a great event.”

“I had a great time, and the Jacobs family did a great job with the competition,” said Spooner. “There were some difficult decisions that they had to make with the weather and the facility, and they made all of them spot on. The footing in the sand arena was flawless. I’m looking forward to coming back next year – sand or grass or whatever you have, we’ll be here.”

Show organisers decided to postpone the use of the turf to next year’s event, after addressing drainage issues this summer. The goal is for the field to ride the same for the first rider as it does for the last in an order of 40 entries.

“It’s a team effort, and I hope it’s going to come out as a better product next year because of it,” said Charlie Jacobs (USA). “I think the new North American League is so important, with its special, unique, one-of-a-kind events. I’ve been fortunate to jump in every event on the East Coast, and I hope to go to the final event at Live Oak in a couple weeks.”

Full results: bit.ly/1UXlAQK

Facts and Figures

In the first round, 14 horses went clear, 13 had 4 faults, 1 had 7, 8 had 8, 3 had 12, and 1 had 16.

The course designer was Alan Wade (IRL).

The first round was contested over 13 obstacles with 16 jumping efforts. The jump-off round had eight obstacles with nine efforts. The maximum height was set at 1.60 metres.

Fifteen nations were represented in the class: Argentina (2 riders), Australia (1 rider), Belgium (1 rider), Brazil (1 rider), Canada, (4 riders), Chile (1 rider), Germany (2 riders), Great Britain (1 rider) Ireland (2 riders), Mexico (1 rider), New Zealand (2 riders), Russia (1 rider), Switzerland (1 rider), United States (19 riders), and Venezuela (1 rider).

About Wellington Masters

The Wellington Masters is hosted at Deeridge Farms, a 300-acre oasis of serenity and beauty set in the Village of Wellington. Owned by the Jacobs family since 1980, the farm has rarely been used for equestrian competitions.

Official fan site – www.feiworldcup.com/NAL

The FEI has developed an official fan microsite for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, enabling fans to find all the latest information for this brand new series under one digital umbrella.

Fans can keep close tabs on the athletes competing in this exciting series as they do their utmost to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 23-26 March 2016.

Tickets can be purchased through the fan site, with event-specific information uploaded regularly by the organisers of the events in this series for fan enjoyment.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

A total of 14 athletes from the new North American League will qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico will qualify for the Final, alongside winners of the 13 other leagues from around the world.

The North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Final.

The new league was launched by Beezie Madden, the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time, American Gold Cup winner and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Jessica Springsteen, and Hannah Selleck, team and individual gold medalist at young rider level and one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars. Full launch release here: https://goo.gl/kCIsyW.

Share images, video, experiences using hashtag #FEIWorldCupNAL.

By Esther Hahn

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Farrington Flies to $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Wellington Victory

February 8, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Uceko.

Wellington, FL – Feb. 7, 2016 – The inaugural CP Wellington Masters, presented by Sovaro™, produced a world-class event, where it was only fitting that the victory in the $200,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Wellington went to leading U.S. athlete Kent Farrington with his veteran mount Uceko.

Topping a 14-horse jump-off, Farrington captured his second victory in the new Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping East Coast League. The highlight event took place under sunny skies at the picturesque Deeridge Farms, owned by the Jacobs family. In conjunction with leading international equestrian event producers Stadium Jumping, the Jacobs family worked tirelessly to produce the first event of its kind at their home in Wellington.

“I thought it was a beautiful, beautiful event here at Deeridge Farms,” expressed Farrington after his win. “I think this facility is amazing and really exciting for our sport and for show jumping here in Florida. For us to have this kind of competition and this caliber of competition is really exciting for all of us as riders.”

Forty combinations turned out to make a bid for the win over the Alan Wade designed course in the new all-weather arena. Only 14 of the athletes mastered the opening track without error and advance to the final tiebreaker.

Paris Sellon was the pathfinder with Adare, setting the pace to beat at a clear 43.50 seconds. Callan Solem tried to best her with VDL Wizard, owned by Horseshoe Trail Farm, but she was just shy of the time in a faultless 43.80 seconds. Canada’s Ian Millar slipped just between them on Susan and Ariel Grange’s Dixson when they cleared the track in 43.54 seconds.

Richard Spooner was the first to beat Sellon’s time on his new mount Big Red, owned by Gerardo and Alfonso Pasquel. Despite a risky distance to the last fence, the duo left all the fences intact and broke the beam at 42.89 seconds, wearing a target on their back.

“I got him the middle of the first week [of the Winter Equestrian Festival], so it’s a fresh partnership,” explained Spooner. “I couldn’t be any happier with the result today. When we got here, I kind of thought, ‘I’m going to be very aggressive. It’d be nice if I could have four faults and have a nice result, maybe get a point or two at this class.’ To have him go out and go double clear far exceeds my expectations.”

Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partners’ Nougat Du Vallet had the next clear effort, but they were more conservative in a time of 48.64 seconds. Despite his solid round, Spooner left the door open for an experienced pair, and Farrington knew he could make up time by shaving the turns and leaving strides out with 15-year-old Uceko. The pair never touched a rail and blazed across the finish line 40.30 seconds, almost three seconds faster than Spooner.

“Uceko has learned to be a fast horse,” admitted Farrington. “He actually was not a fast horse when I started. He has a long stride and sort of a slow canter. As I’ve gotten to know him really well, he’s learned to turn very short to the fences and leave out strides where other horses can’t. Now for a jump-off, I really have his plan, and I’m very confident of what he can do. I try to execute it to the best of my abilities, and usually if I don’t make a big error he pulls it off.”

The last athlete in the class was Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum on the talented Fibonacci 17, owned by Artemis. The scopey 11-year-old was clear over all of the obstacles, but could not match Uceko’s speed taking over the second place spot in 42.83 seconds. Spooner was just six-hundredths of a second slower than Beerbaum for third place, while Farrington led the lap of honor.

Although the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final is not on Beerbaum’s radar, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro are her main goal for Fibonacci. “He’s short-listed for the German team at the moment,” she commented. “He showed great form today, and we just hope to keep that going.”

Spooner also hopes to aim Big Red toward the Games in Rio, but he knows the new pair will need to work hard to make the U.S. team. “It’s a bit of a new combination; it would be a long shot for, but I’m gearing him for the team,” he stated. “I think he’s a team horse. He’s impressed me incredibly.”

The Jacobs family is a strong supporter of world-class athletes and world-class events, and the family was thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Wellington leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping East Coast League.

“It’s a three-year commitment to host the World Cup Qualifier here,” noted President Louis Jacobs. “To have first the FEI and Longines grant us a World Cup Qualifier and then to have this group of sponsors – not just Longines, but Canadian Pacific and the folks from Sovaro – people that really demonstrated their faith in us early on, we’re incredibly grateful for that.”

Katie Jacobs Robinson added, “It’s exciting, and it’s an honor that Longines and the FEI have trusted us with this. It’s been a huge learning experience and something that I think we have all really enjoyed. We hope that Longines is happy as well as the FEI and all the competitors, and we look forward to doing it again.

Representing the family in the ring was Charlie Jacobs, who hopes to be traveling with the U.S. delegation to the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden March 23-28.

“The feedback from the riders has been nothing short of extraordinary,” he commented. “Even riders that didn’t compete here were sharing that they wish to come and show next year if we offer more divisions, so by in large I’d say it’s been exclusively great feedback from the horseman.”

One of the additional events during the inaugural CP Wellington Masters was the $10,000 1.15m Jumpers. The victory in the day’s competition opener went to Javier Guerra of the USA on his own Chiquey Tiem.

Guerra and the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare were one of 15 pairs to advance to the immediate jump-off following the first round, and while they went early in the order they set a time to be beat that would never be toppled, finishing in 29.738 seconds.

“It was a beautifully set course,” Guerra said of the Alan Wade designed track. “She’s just a very, very fast mare. I know if she keeps all the rails up, she’s going to be in the top three. She’s a very brave mare. She is my wife’s horse, and she was gracious enough to let me ride her today.”

Guerra continued, “We show her in the 1.25m, the Low Amateurs, and now we brought her in today for this beautiful show. I think it’s great. I hope they do it every year, and we will be sure to come back next year if they do it again.”

Finishing in a close second with a jump-off time of 30.014 seconds were Sima Morgello and Zopala, owned by Double S Farm LLC, while third place went to Lukene Arenas and Enrique Arenas’ Unique Star with a time of 30.876 seconds.

Before the main event got underway, a special presentation was made for the M. Michael Meller Style Award. During its inaugural year at the CP Wellington Masters, the award was presented to the late Andres Rodriguez of Venezuela. Rodriguez, fondly known as “Chepito,” passed away in a tragic car accident in January. The 2015 individual silver medalist from the Pan American Games was a true supporter of equestrian sport and embodied this award. He loved show jumping and all that knew him felt his enthusiasm. A team player, he was fun loving and always supportive with his competitors.

Rodriguez’s wife, Clementine Goutal, and barn manager, Carmen Barrera, accepted the award from Meller on his behalf. The M. Michael Meller Style Award will be presented each year in honor of Rodriguez to a rider that exemplifies his style and sportsmanship, so that “Chepito’s” memory can live on in the sport.

The inaugural CP Wellington Masters, presented by Sovaro™, has received rave reviews and the Jacobs Family looks forward to hosting top athletes for the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Wellington.

For more information, please visit wellingtonmastersworldcup.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group International
12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 201
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Kent Farrington Wins Thrilling Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final at CHI Geneva

December 12, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington Riding Voyeur ©Rolex/Kit Houghton.

11 December 2015, CHI Geneva Switzerland – When the Top 10 riders in the world gather under one roof to battle it out to be crowned champion, excitement, tension and world-class competition are guaranteed. The crowds watching the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final at CHI Geneva were privileged to have experienced a thrilling encounter in this year’s competition, with Rolex Testimonee Kent Farrington riding the wonderful Voyeur, racing to the top of the podium and taking his first ever win in the competition.

Speed and accuracy are essential to winning the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. Staged over two rounds with no jump-off, and with eight riders taking a clear into the final round, expectation was high that the final round would produce a classic in this, the fifteenth edition and the eleventh time that it has been staged at CHI Geneva.

Second round clears were proving hard to find until Kent Farrington and Voyeur came into the arena. Living up to their deserved reputation as one of the fastest partnerships on the circuit, they sped around the course whilst the crowd held their collective breath, and laid down a lightning fast 37.54 second round; it looked difficult to beat. Both Simon Delestre and Daniel Deusser followed Farrington onto the course and although both succeeded in going clear, they simply could not match Farrington’s time. It was left to the final two riders, Rolex Testimonees Bertram Allen, the youngest rider to ever compete in the Final at just 20 years old, and the 2014 winner, Scott Brash, to challenge Farrington. Valiant in their efforts, not even the combined athleticism of equine superstars Molly Malone and Hello Sanctos could match Voyeur, and Farrington was crowned the winner in only his second time of competing.

Speaking after his victory, Kent Farrington said, “My horse was amazing today; I had to go early in the second round and I knew that some of the fastest riders were coming after me. This is a great way to start off with Voyeur at the show ahead of the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. My horse has been on form so I hope he continues for the weekend.”

The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final was started in 2001 by the International Jumping Riders Club and similar to the ATP Finals in tennis, is the only competition that rewards consistency throughout the season, by inviting the top 10 highest-ranked riders in the world to go head-to-head over two rounds of jumping. The competition has been won by several of the greatest names in the sport, including Rolex Testimonees Rodrigo Pessoa and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. Kent Farrington now joins this group of legendary names engraved on the exclusive winner’s trophy.

All eyes now turn to Sunday and the Rolex Grand Prix, where one rider will start his or her journey towards emulating Scott Brash in winning their first stage of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The results of the 15th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final:

1st Kent Farrington (USA), riding Voyeur
2nd Simon Delestre (FRA), riding Hermes Ryan
3rd Daniel Deusser (GER), riding First Class van Eeckelghem
4th Christian Ahlmann (GER), riding Codex One
5th Penelope Leprevost (FRA), riding Flora De Mariposa
6th Scott Brash (GBR), riding Hello Sanctos
7th Bertram Allen (IRL), riding Molly Malone
8th Gregory Wathelet (BEL), riding Algorhythem
9th Luciana Diniz (POR), riding Fit For Fun
10th Ludger Beerbaum (GER), riding Chaman

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rolex SA
Virginie Chevailler
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 22 302 2761

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7770 647 662

Show Jumping

Show Jumping Returns to The Mar-a-Lago Club for Fourth Annual Trump Invitational

November 26, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

2014 Trump Invitational Grand Prix winners Kent Farrington and Blue Angel. Photos © Sportfot.

Palm Beach, FL – November 25, 2015 – The fourth annual Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2016, at the beautiful Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL. World-class show jumping will be presented along with a special VIP experience overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. This unique event features the $130,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix CSI 2*, presented by Rolex, and the $10,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper class.

The $130,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, will showcase some of the world’s top riders in an FEI world ranking competition. World Number Two ranked rider Kent Farrington was the victor in the first two editions of the event, while Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut captured the top prize last year.

“I’m excited to return to the Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, again this year,” Farrington said. “The riders always look forward to it every winter because it’s truly a unique venue to showcase our sport. Hopefully I can make it a three-peat in 2016.”

Kraut added, “With perfect weather and fantastic footing, last year’s Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, was so much fun. The location is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to return this winter and defend my title.”

“We look forward to welcoming back equestrians and spectators in 2016,” said event organizer Mark Bellissimo. “The grand prix offers a great start to the winter season for the riders with world ranking points on the line. It is a day of fundraising for the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments®, and we know that this year’s event will help us raise more than $1.5 million once again for local Palm Beach County charities.”

*Laura Kraut and Cedric took the title in 2015.*

The Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex, quickly became one of the most special events on the equestrian calendar with ringside tables bordering two sides of the jumping arena. Guests are welcomed with a red carpet entrance poolside at The Mar-a-Lago Club. A fabulous theme highlights each year’s decorations as the VIP area welcomes equestrians and celebrities with a gourmet brunch buffet, special drinks, and the opportunity to watch equestrian sport at one of the most breathtaking venues in the world.

The Trump Invitational is the only equestrian event ever to be held on Palm Beach Island and is hosted at The Mar-a-Lago Club, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate built in 1924 and purchased and restored by Donald Trump in 1985. It is one of the most magnificent mansions in the world, is in the national register of historic places, and is a designated U.S National Landmark.

The event will benefit the 2016 Great Charity Challenge (GCC), which has raised over $7.5 million dollars over the last six years for more than 150 Palm Beach County charities. Paige Bellissimo, co-founder of the GCC, will be the Chairperson for the Trump Invitational, presented by Rolex. It will also serve as the kickoff party for the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival, the 12-week circuit that runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 13 to April 3, 2016.

Following the grand prix is a special invitational junior/amateur jumper class that will highlight some of the top junior and amateur riders in the sport.

Riders who would like to participate in either the grand prix or the junior/amateur class, please email Michael Stone at mstone2811@gmail.com.

VIP tables are available – for table information, please contact Anne Caroline Valtin at annecaroline@equestriansport.com. Table reservation forms are available HERE.

Please visit www.pbiec.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel Take $34,000 Equiline Holiday & Horses Opener Grand Prix

November 26, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel. Photo Credit: ©ManciniPhotos.

Wellington, FL – November 25, 2015 – Kent Farrington (USA) captured a win in the first FEI class of the 2015 Holiday & Horses CSI 4* hosted at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), piloting Blue Angel to victory in the $34,000 Equiline Holiday & Horses Opener Grand Prix. Farrington, who is currently ranked second in the world, dashed through the jump-off timers in 34.871 seconds to beat fellow American Laura Kraut and Andretti S, who finished in 36.516 seconds. Samuel Parot (CHI) and Atlantis jumped to third place with a time of 36.716 seconds. The Holiday & Horses CSI 4* will resume with FEI competition on Friday, November 27, and will continue through Sunday, November 29.

Farrington and Blue Angel proved too quick to catch on a competitive first day of the Holiday & Horses CSI 4*, which saw a large class of 60 entries test the Hector Loyola (PRI)-set track. The large class would ultimately return 23 combinations for an incredibly fast jump-off round.

Blue Angel, a 2002 Anglo European Sporthorse mare (Luidam x Astrid) owned by Robin Parsky, is known for her speed in the ring and continuously excels when faced with a fast-paced track. Her agility and carefulness have made the mare an incredible asset within Farrington’s talented and elite string of top mounts.

“A lot of horses were out here competing today, more than 60 entries, and with that came a lot of clear rounds so I expected a very fast jump-off, which it was. I thought Hardin Towell put in a really competitive round and then Laura Kraut left out a stride to the last fence that looked incredibly fast from the warm-up (ring),” said Farrington. “My horse is really quick across the ground. I think that I probably did more strides than anyone else, but she can roll into the jumps really short and I made up some time there.”

In an effort to edge the rest of the class, Farrington included a previously untried route on the jump-off course and elaborated on his decision to include the chancy turn. He explained, “In a class like this you have to pick your risks and know what your horse can handle. At a skinny fence like that, she’s really good at getting close to the jump, so I knew that I could roll in short on an angle which really suits her and her striding.”

The course proved to be a welcomed preparation for numerous combinations as many will test the $212,000 Holiday & Horses CSI 4* Grand Prix presented by Palm Beach County Sports Commission & Discover the Palm Beaches on Saturday, November 28. Farrington agreed that the nicely set track offered an opportunity for competitors to start the week off successfully, as most riders entered two mounts. He noted, “I thought it was pretty straightforward today. It was nice for the number of horses here, and you wanted to set a really inviting course. It was a good track for everyone to jump around.”

Cementing a phenomenal year as a representative for Team USA in numerous international competitions including the 2015 Pan American Games hosted in Toronto, Canada, Farrington has made his mark on the equestrian world around the globe over the course of the past twelve months and will continue building upon that success in 2016.

“We’ve had a great year, and I have an amazing team behind me. There is a great group of owners and horses, and my support staff is some of the best in the world. I think one of our strengths is that we’ve surrounded ourselves with a great team,” he remarked. “Next year, I’m looking forward to earning a lot of the same results and improving on what we accomplished this year. We have some very nice young horses coming up, and I’m always continuing to build my string from the bottom up for the future.”

The Holiday & Horses CSI 4* competition will resume with FEI classes on Friday, November 27, with the $34,000 Equiline 1.45m Speed Classic. The highlight of the week, the $212,000 Holiday & Horses CSI 4* Grand Prix presented by Palm Beach County Sports Commission and Discover the Palm Beaches, will begin at 6:30pm on Saturday, November 28. The night will also entertain guests of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Winterfest and showcase the first round of drawings for the 2016 Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments®. FEI competition will conclude on Sunday, November 29, with the $34,000 1.45m Consolation Classic beginning at 1pm.

For more information on PBIEC and to see a full list of results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Kent Farrington Speeds to Victory on Voyeur at Kentucky

November 2, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington (USA) and Voyeur claimed the victory at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier in Kentucky (USA) after producing the fastest round in the jump-off. (FEI/StockImageServices.com)

Lexington, Kentucky (USA), 2 November 2015 – The United States’ Kent Farrington and Voyeur used their long-term partnership to produce the fastest round in a 13-rider jump off, winning the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualifier at the CSI4* CP National Horse Show. Already with a victory in a grand prix class earlier in the week, on a different horse Willow (Guidam x Little Rock), Farrington proved his close knowledge of his two mounts could deliver the fastest clears in competitive company.

“I know those horses really well and that’s my advantage this week,” Farrington said. “I brought two really experienced, qualified horses to compete and both went great. Both are owned by the Nusz family, and I’m really grateful to have horses of that caliber.”

For the North American League qualifier, Farrington chose the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tolano van’t Riethof x Goodwill) that he described as having a hot character, and which allowed Farrington to ride extremely tight turns to the jump-off design’s double combination and large oxer.

“The horse is very hot to ride,” Farrington said. “Physically, he’s very strong, and it’s taken a long time to get him rideable. And for him to add strides in an indoor ring, it’s due to his experience. It’s taken me a while to get him there.”

“I think the ring here is actually quite big so it gives course designers freedom to make what they want to build,” he continued. “I actually thought the time allowed [in the first round] was pretty generous. If it were a shorter time allowed, it could have been a different outcome.”

Course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) also noted that the time allowed played a factor in the outcome of the class.

“This is a fantastic venue and it’s a great group of riders and horses, and of course we want to start a little easier and make it tougher throughout the week,” Jorge said. “But it looks like the riders had the same kind of idea as I did because they kept jumping better and better. In this level, it’s a very fine line and I think the riders today jumped it great and that’s the reason why we had 13 clears in the jump off.”

An American product

With the Maclay Final, an American junior equitation division sharing the spotlight with the North American league qualifier on the final day of competition, Farrington had the opportunity to reflect on his own experiences coming through the riding ranks in the country.

“I think that today, I’m a product of a lot of different systems,” Farrington said. “Early on in my career, I did some equitation riding and the Finals. But even more than the riding, it was the experience of the pressure that was even more important at those events than anything else. You build up to a Final and then you build on a round and deliver it on a specific day,” he said. “There were only so many shots at it. I think all of that experience is the most beneficial thing. Of course, at the lower level, it was about building the fundamentals and the basics of learning how to ride, but the most important thing was just learning to deal with pressure and big shows and how to handle those situations.”

The ability to handle the pressure to deliver a step-perfect round played a factor in Farrington’s win, in addition to riding later in the order of go.

“Both [Laura Kraut and I] had a later draw so there were a lot in it but we got to watch the first couple – we actually watched them together,” Farrington said. “It really comes down to what plan is going to suit your horse at that time. The first line was seven strides to the wall, and I think we both did the same. And then it was really what suited your horse, how tight you could roll back to the vertical and how fast you could go to the double and the last fence. Today I was on a much more experienced horse than Laura and that was probably my advantage.”

It’s still too early in the season for Farrington to decide on a specific horse to qualify and take to the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg (SWE) in April. Next on Farrington’s schedule is to fly to California to campaign a different string of horses, with a possible West Coast qualifier appearance in Las Vegas.

“I’m sort of shuffling around with different horses,” said Farrington. “I have really good owners behind my career, so I’m lucky I can map out a schedule where I’m showing horses in a few places.”

Modern-day jumper

Farrington and runner-up Laura Kraut (USA), who also earned the title of Leading Lady Rider at the show, credited their horses with the ability to perform in a variety of settings, including large, outdoor tracks and indoor arenas.

“I think that’s today’s modern show jumper,” Farrington said. “He’s a really versatile horse that’s rideable and fast and scopey and careful. That’s overall what most of the experienced horses are in this sport. They can usually do both. I think he’s better outside than indoors, but this indoor is quite big so that’s why I thought it would quite suit him to bring him here.”

“[Voyeur’s] pretty wild actually,” he added, when asked about what his horse was like in the barn. “Laura and I were joking around about what we consider a normal horse and what everyone else considers a normal horse. We’re both known for riding sort of erratic or special horses. He’s very fresh, so you usually have to be a little bit awake when you’re riding him because he can spin very quickly and he can spook at a lot of things. He’s a handful but I think most of the good ones are.”

Kraut picked up the ride on Deauville S (Diamant de Semilly x Lux) when her partner and British Jumping professional Nick Skelton did not match well with the Holsteiner gelding.

“Deauville actually came from Germany and the owner sent him for Nick to ride,” Kraut said. “So Nick started jumping him in Wellington this winter and about halfway through he didn’t have the right temperament for him. He said, ‘Why don’t you get on him and show him?’ So I jumped him in a 1.45-meter class and won the first class I rode him in, and he said, ‘Well, that’s it, I’m never riding him again.’ So that’s how I got him. I might add that my clients were wonderful in that they went ahead and purchased him for me and I’m so thankful for that.”

Much of Kraut’s strategy with Deauville comes from her experience with a Thoroughbred that she rode in the past.

“I’ve had some really special horses,” Kraut said. “I rode a Thoroughbred horse years and years ago called Simba Run, and [Deauville’s] as close to Simba as I’ve had since then. In the warm up, he’s really special. Again, I’ve learned he likes to just stop and stand. And if I just let him stand, you can then make him go to a fence and he’ll jump it then he likes to stand. As long as you don’t make him keep going, going, going, then he seems fine with that. In the stable, he’s a puppy; he’s very sweet and really a kind horse.”

Full results: http://bit.ly/1ixpLEL

Facts and Figures

The Lexington stop of the North American League is the richest on the East Coast.

Thirteen horses went clear in the first round, and eleven finished double clear in the jump-off.

The course designer was Guilherme Jorge (BRA).

The first round was contested over 13 obstacles with 16 jumping efforts. The jump-off round had seven obstacles with eight efforts. The maximum height was set at 1.60 meters.

Nine nations were represented in the class: Belgium (4 riders), Columbia (2 riders), Ireland (2 riders), Japan (1 rider), the Netherlands (1 rider), New Zealand (1 rider), Russia (1 rider), United States (22 riders) and Venezuela (1 rider).

Quotes:

Mason Phelps, President of the CP National Horse Show (USA): “We’re thrilled to be one of the stops of the North American League,” said Mason Phelps, President of the CP National Horse Show. “I thought today’s jumping was excellent, and the jump off very much engaged the crowd. It was a very good afternoon. Longines is a terrific sponsor to have for the World Cup tour, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.

“Certainly partnering with Longines for this World Cup qualifier was a big plus for us, and working with the Longines team and the organising committee was great. I think we have a great partnership and I look forward to a big future. And of course, our partnership with Canadian Pacific. Their sponsorship created the funds [to make the World Cup qualifier] a $250,000 class.”

Guilherme Jorge (BRA): “I thought the course today was big enough, but obviously not that big because they jumped really well. It’s a fantastic arena that when you come to indoors. It’s big and the footing’s fantastic, there’s a lot of room, riders can ride it as though it’s an outdoor ring. I had a grand prix last month and I had the time allowed maybe one second too short and I had three riders less than I wanted. Today, if I had the time one second shorter, I would have had the number I was expecting between eight and nine riders. I think the class today, if I had to go back and see I could have made the time a little shorter.”

Kent Farrington (USA): “I thought the prize money was very good here for a North American World Cup show. The Friday class was $130,000 and the grand prix today was $250,000, so I brought two horses that I thought would be very competitive. I brought my best horses for the grand prix and they both performed up to expectations so I couldn’t ask for more.

“I expected a few clear. I think the group of riders here is quite strong. I think there were some very good horses jumping in the class. I thought it was really going to depend on the time allowed. When the first couple went and they were close to the time, I know that didn’t leave much room to move the time at that point so then I thought okay, there’s going to be quite a few clear; it’s going to be a fast jump-off today.”

Laura Kraut (USA): “It was a great week. Kentucky Horse Park is fantastic. I think not only for the jumping in the ring but the warm-up is really nice and then the stabling, it’s all around a great place to be so that’s nice for us. I’m really happy with my horse. I brought this horse, which is a nine-year-old, and then I brought a young eight-year-old just for the experience. He also placed in every class and jumped really well. But this horse I’m particularly excited about, Deauville. I’ve had him since March and he’s really coming along. He won a big grand prix in St. Moritz then he was second in a World Cup qualifier in New York and now second again so I’m thrilled.”

“I was lucky that I actually went after Kent, and I had the advantage of at least being able to see him go, which was helpful. And I tried to stay on with what he had done but I couldn’t get the momentum to the last fence, I knew I was close enough I thought I’d be maybe second or third so I played it a little safe going to the last.

“Right now, I will go [to World Cup Final] if I qualify but I don’t know which horses yet. So far, it would be Deauville since he’s the only one I’ve jumped in a qualifier, but I’d like the opportunity to jump Nouvelle in a couple and decide how I’m looking toward the Olympics and all of that will weigh in on how all of that will work out.”

About CP National Horse Show

The CP National Horse Show is a week-long championship event featuring the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington, presented by CP, “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship Finals. The event took place in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010.

Official fan site – www.feiworldcup.com/NAL

The FEI has developed an official fan microsite for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, enabling fans to find all the latest information for this brand new series under one digital umbrella.

Tickets can be purchased through the fan site, with event-specific information uploaded regularly by the organisers of the events in this series for fan enjoyment.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

A total of 14 athletes from the new North American League will qualify for the prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

Share images, video, experiences using hashtag #FEIWorldCupNAL.

By Esther Hahn

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Show Jumping, West Palms

Del Mar Kicks Off with Some Big Names and Exciting Classes

October 8, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kent Farrington. Photos By: ESI Photography.

Day One of the Del Mar International Horse Show’s Welcome Week began with plenty of thrills and excitement as the 1.30m, 1.35m and 1.40m Jumpers got underway in the Del Mar International’s Del Mar Arena. These three classes boasted an impressive lineup of superstar riders, including Longines World Ranked #2 Rider Beezie Madden, Longines World Ranked #6 Rider Kent Farrington, Longines World Ranked #32 Rider Lauren Hough, Longines World Ranked #68 Jack Hardin Towel, Susan Artes, Mandy Porter, Canadian Ben Asselin, Olympian Will Simpson, Hap Hansen, Nayel Nassar, Lane Clark, Ashlee Bond, Karl Cook, and many others.

There were 67 horse and rider pairs to go in the 1.30m, 36 entries in the 1.35m and just 13 competitors to see in the 1.40m.

The 1.30 was taken by Nayel Nassar aboard his own mount Baraka, besting 66 other entries to emerge victorious. In the 1.35, Jamie Sailor rode Jodie Camberg’s Veneto DHZ to an impressive win, and in the 1.40, Will Simpson and The Dude, owned by Monarch International, took home the blue to the delight of spectators.

Today was just the beginning, as Del Mar prepares for two weeks of thrilling international competition featuring 2015’s top riders in show jumping, hunters, and hunter derbies.

Don’t miss these exciting events coming up during Welcome Week:

Friday, October 9th

$5,000 South Shore Farm Grand Prix Hunter Derby, Presented by Fleeceworks
$25,000 LA Saddlery 1.45m

Saturday, October 10th

$25,000 PCHA/Equine Insurance Children’s/Adult Hunter Championship Round 1
$25,000 Del Mar Welcome Prix

Sunday, October 11th

$25,000 PCHA/Equine Insurance Children’s/Adult Hunter Championship Final
$45,500 Grand Prix of the Pacific, Presented by Copernicus Stables

Next week, the $150,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Del Mar takes place on Saturday evening, with a riders’ press conference immediately following. Please visit www.jumpdelmar.com for more information on this exclusive event.

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy top international equestrian competition, with all of the thrills, excitement and breath-taking action elite show jumping has to offer. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more information! Stay up to date on all our exciting events and the 2015 show season by visiting our website and following us on Facebook.

Central Park Horse Show, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Stage Is Set for Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping Championship at Rolex Central Park Horse Show

September 17, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Canadian Pacific Railway and Rolex sponsor the two-round competition where McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Georgina Bloomberg, Todd Minikus, and Conor Swail lead the list of top riders vying for the U.S. Open Title

New York, NY – From Olympians to up and coming talent, the Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping competition will highlight the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, running Sept. 23-27 in the heart of New York City’s Central Park. Founded in 2014, the second-annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show is dedicated to attracting the best in equestrian sport to compete at a once in a lifetime location.

U.S. Open Jumper events at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will welcome the world’s best to contest two rounds of competition over courses set by international designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. The $40,000 FEI Speed Class, presented by Canadian Pacific Railway, kicks off the schedule with an opening speed round on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 8 PM.

Faults from Thursday will be converted to points and carry over to the U.S. Open $212,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:00 PM. Riders will pilot the same horse in both rounds, and the highest ranked rider will not only be crowned the inaugural U.S. Open winner, but receive an exciting bonus. While cashing in on their share of the $212,000 purse, the winning rider will be presented with an additional $25,000 for the U.S. Open honor.

Hometown girl and accomplished international rider Georgina Bloomberg took top call in the 2014 Central Park Grand Prix and will return to her native city to defend her title this year in hopes of being crowned the first U.S. Open Jumper Champion. The world will be able to watch her efforts as the U.S. Open CSI 3* Grand Prix is scheduled to air on NBC Sports Network during prime time from 9-10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 27.

“Winning last year’s Rolex Central Park Grand Prix in front of a New York City crowd was one of the highlights of my career,” said Bloomberg. “New York is my home and to be able to compete in this city is an experience like no other. I am proud to see show jumping return to New York and I can’t wait to showcase the sport that I have dedicated my life to in the heart of Central Park again this year.”

In addition to Bloomberg, the prestige of show jumping in Central Park has attracted a star-studded cast of high-performance riders all vying for the U.S. Open title, including the likes of Kent Farrington, Todd Minikus, Conor Swail and McLain Ward, to name a few.

“New York City’s Central Park is a unique host and presents a change from the typical venue for both us as riders, but also our horses. However, it’s worth the effort to have a show in the center of the city and highlight the sport with many top riders,” said Ward, who most recently took home an individual gold medal for the USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Show jumping was last seen in New York City’s Central Park in 1981 and at Madison Square Garden in 2001, but the Rolex Central Park Horse Show found a home at Wollman Rink last year. “We all miss what showing at the Garden was, and this is bringing that back in a similar way,” added Ward.

“I was both overwhelmed and encouraged by the positive response from participants, spectators and media outlets to last year’s event in Central Park,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group, LLC (IEG). “There is no better place to showcase horse sport through the U.S. Open than in the iconic New York City. I have confidence that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show’s U.S. Open will become one of the premiere events on the show jumping calendar.”

Tickets can now be purchased at http://bit.ly/1AV2imv. To request table information in the Hospitality Tent, please e-mail Anne Caroline Valtin at vip@centralparkhorseshow.com or call 561-784-1133.

Additional information can be found at www.coth.com and www.centralparkhorseshow.com.

Media Contact:
Shin-Jung Hong
Nicholas & Lence Communications
ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Tel: 212.938.0005

Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher