New York, September 2016 – The only pair to answer all the questions over two, challenging tracks, Olympic medallist, Kent Farrington (USA) and Gazelle delivered the day’s only double-clear performance to claim victory in the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York at the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W, hosted by Old Salem Farm.
“I thought Alan Wade built a difficult course today, which I think is well suited for a class of this prestige and amount of prize money,” said Farrington. “As a World Cup Qualifier, it brings the best riders and their top horses.
“It worked out for me today, but regardless, I thought it was a great competition. I’m thrilled to finally win the American Gold Cup—I’ve never done that before and it was on my list of things to do.”
Only two riders advanced to the final round with Charlie Jacobs (USA) preceding Farrington in the jump off at the second leg of the East Coast sub-league. In an attempt to save time and to add pressure on Farrington, Jacobs unsuccessfully angled a wide oxer in the final round. The resulting rail left the door open for Farrington to take the win.
“That’s actually what I hate to do — go at a normal speed,” said Farrington about his jump-off strategy. “But if I had one down, I could still catch [Jacobs’ time] at the end.”
Slow and steady was the winning approach as Farrington demonstrated constraint in his ride — a difficult approach for the normally speed-driven jump off competitor. But Farrington still managed to end with a flourish when his mount, the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro), came to an abrupt halt after crossing the timers, forcing Farrington out of the tack and onto his feet. Not one to waste the opportunity, Farrington stood holding Gazelle and took a bow to the crowd’s applause.
Farrington found Gazelle three years ago, from Stephan Conter (BEL) and his Stephex Stables.
“The horse is typical of what I try to buy: a very careful horse,” Farrington said. “I would rather buy an extremely careful horse and have to manage confidence. I think that’s really the modern sport today. That’s what you need in a young horse. They can tend to be a bit spooky and a bit suspicious and it takes a little time to gain confidence in the rider, but in the end, that’s how you get a top horse.”
The third stop of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League East Coast sub-league will head indoors at Washington, D.C. CSI4*-W in October.
Results
1. Gazelle (Kent Farrington), USA, 0 faults/53.18 seconds (JO);
2. Cassinja S (Charlie Jacobs), USA, 4/48.69 (JO);
3. Coriandolo di Ribano (Lauren Tisbo), USA, 1/85.46;
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.
19th September 2016
