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.”