World no. 1 Kent Farrington is setting a new standard with his magnificent mare Greya. Together, they won a record sixth five-star grand prix inside a year to lift the iconic American Gold Cup and claim their share of $340,000 in prize money during the final day of the 2025 Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS).
The American Gold Cup was first awarded in 1970 and has been won by some of show jumping’s most legendary names throughout its 55-year history. The event has called Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City home since 2020, the sixth location to host it.
Farrington and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Colestus x Contender) established the standard over Alan Wade’s (IRL) opening round as the first of an eventual six clear. On theme for the record-breaking day, Wade designed his 11th American Gold Cup track this week.
Greya set the pace yet again in the jump-off at 34.75 seconds, which would stand as the winning result. Farrington has now won the American Gold Cup three times, previously in 2016 and 2020.
“My biggest concern today was going to be measuring the speed it was going to take to win,” said Farrington. “You don’t want to be chasing what somebody else can do—you have to know what your horse’s best possible round is. I tried to put down a solid effort where they were going to have to do something special to beat me, and luckily it worked out.”
The win helped Farrington to match his record of six grand prix wins in a calendar year, a title he also carries aboard the now retired Gazelle.
“We produce these horses, which is a long but rewarding process. I’m really proud of my team and the horses we have today and I’m enjoying the journey,” said Farrington, whose groom Denise Moriarty was awarded the Equifit Winning Groom Award. “This is an incredible horse and an amazing athlete; she can do everything she needs to be able to in the sport. I’m looking forward to the future and trying to enjoy the moment at the same time.”
Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam started the day as a hopeful for an American Gold Cup hat trick after winning the historic title in 2022 and 2024 with James Kann Cruz. He and the 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding (Kannan x Cruising) stopped the clock just over a second shy of the winning time in 35.97 to finish second.
“James Kann Cruz was great, Greya is just a faster horse,” admitted Sweetnam. “Even going in, I knew it would be a long shot. I watched Greya’s round and knew that it probably wouldn’t be caught but I’ve already had about six or seven second-place finishes this year, so I was going to give it a go no matter what. I didn’t feel I left much out there.
“For North America, this is the highlight of the summer,” he continued. “Since I’ve come over from Ireland, it has been a special class held at brilliant venues.”
Fellow Irish Olympian Daniel Coyle piloted Farrel to third in 36.49 for owner Ariel Grange. The podium finish was a momentous one after the now 15-year-old (VDL Cardento x Argelith Stakkato) was sidelined for six years from an injury as a 9-year-old.
“Every round on this horse feels like a bonus because there was a point we never thought he would jump again, let alone double clear in a five-star,” said the world no. 11. “The American Gold Cup is an iconic event for riders from any country, and I’m thrilled to get a piece of it.”
TCHS Event Director Matthew Morrissey celebrated the culmination of a spectacular 13-week season by saying, “We had a great season ending with two spectacular weeks. Now we focus on 2026, improvements to the venue and start looking forward to next season already.”
In conclusion, Farrington reflected on back-to-back five-star wins over two weeks in Traverse City.
“I think this has been a great proving ground for many horses—not just mine,” he said. “It’s a great place to build with two-star and national divisions where we can also ride young horses at the same time. They bring in excellent course builders like we had today with Alan Wade as one of the best in the world. That’s really what helps elevate the level of sport in conjunction with having great competitors and world-class horses.”
Top Canadian in this rich class was Erynn Ballard riding Ilan Ferder’s Dior, placing 10th.
For complete results from the $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5*, click here.
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