KENT Farrington (USA) got his World Cup campaign off to a great start at Traverse City over the weekend, when he and his talented 11-year-old mare Greya claimed victory in Sunday’s five-star $340,000 1.60m Longines FEI Jumping World Cup class, the first of the new season.
The highlight of the Traverse City Fall International show saw a start list of 34, with only seven combinations able to negotiate the first-round track without penalty and proceed to the jump-off. Round two proved challenging, with all but three incurring faults.
The three double clears were recorded by American riders, with world number one Farrington stopping the clock in the fastest time of 39.45 seconds to take home the top prize of $112,200.
Spencer Smith (USA) on Keeneland was next best on 41.00 for the runner-up prize of $68,000, with Jacob Pope (USA) on Highway FBH finishing a close third in 41.11 ($51,000).
“I think you’re seeing a more mature horse than I had last year,” Farrington said. “Even though she was already winning big things, she continues to improve and evolve as a show jumper, so I’m really proud of her today.”
Derry’s Daniel Coyle made it through to the jump-off with Farrel, but faults in round two put them in seventh place.
The next round of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup is scheduled for October 20th to 26th at Upper Marlboro (Washington).
American dominance
The five-star Traverse City Fall International was held in Williamsburg, Michigan last week and international classes commenced on Thursday with the five-star $32,000 1.45m Traverse City Record Eagle Speed Classic, which saw a one-two for American riders Lillie Keenan riding Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN (first) and Richard Spooner on Lyjanair (second).
The two-star $7,000 1.40m two-phase saw an all-American podium, with Jacqueline Ruyle on Cyramo Z, Rachel Long on Olympic van de Meyhoeve and Savannah Jenkins on Comme Ci Comme Ca in first, second and third places respectively.
Friday’s two-star $32,000 1.45m Storm Ridge Capital Speed Classic saw the Americans on form again, with Jenkins on Comme Ci Comme Ca taking the win, ahead of Jacob Pope on Jecibelle in second, while Bluman (ISR) placed third on Rebelline de Kwakenbeek.
The day’s five-star $117,000 1.55m Grand Prix Qualifier saw a win for Belgium, when Abdel Said rode Quaker Brimbelles Z into the top spot.
Katherine A Dinan (USA) on Out of the Blue SCF filled the runner-up position, while Bluman scored another third place on Hummer Z. Down’s Conor Swail placed seventh in the class on Casturano.
On Saturday, the five-star $62,500 1.50m Mercantile Bank Winning Round saw another American win, with Karl Cook on Kalinka van’t Zorgvliet claiming first place. Bluman (ISR) on Gemma W took second, with Canada’s Erynn Ballard on Queen Kinmar Hero in third.
Derry’s Daniel Coyle placed fifth with Ariel Grange’s Calippo 57, followed by Swail on Theo 160 in eighth.
Coyle said on social media: “Calippo is still a new horse for us, but his confidence is growing and he is going to be a great asset to Lothlorien’s barn.”
The two-star $32,000 1.45m Grand Prix on Sunday saw a North American whitewash, with all but one of the top 10 placings going to American riders, led by Stella Wasserman (USA) on Myjorka.