Kent Farrington of the United States opened international show jumping competition at the CSI4*-W Royal Horse Show, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, in Toronto, ON, by scoring victory in the $38,500 Strength and Speed Challenge on Wednesday, November 8.

Competing over a “power and speed” track set by British course designer Kelvin Bywater, riders had to navigate eight fences fault-free before immediately advancing to the speed portion of the course. While the majority of the 22 horse-and-rider combinations managed to jump clear through the first phase, it was Farrington’s blazing time of 29.17 seconds in the speed phase with his veteran partner, Creedance, that sealed the win. Farrington’s triumph marks the third consecutive time he has come out on top in this class at the Royal Horse Show, having ridden Austria 2 to victory on the two previous occasions.

“I love coming to The Royal,” expressed Farrington, 42, of Wellington, FL, who won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto in 2017. “It feels like a throwback in time with everyone dressed up in fancy clothes and a packed house at night. It has a special atmosphere and great sport. It’s really a specialty event in our sport in North America.”

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