Kent Farrington (USA) was the first to crack the code to a clear round over a technical course in the $340,000 (USD) Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Traverse City—the first leg of the 2024-25 North American League season. He’d remain “first” for the rest of the day.
First to return for the jump-off. First to jump double-clear. Ultimately, first on the leaderboard.
Farrington and his talented mount Greya bested a seven-horse jump-off to earn an important five-star victory and valuable qualifying points toward the World Cup Finals in Basel (SUI) next April. The accomplished pair simply could not be caught over Alan Wade’s (IRL) short course, with a winning time of 37.19 seconds.
Samuel Hutton (GBR) and Melusina Bvl Z came closest—within two-tenths of a second—and finished second (37.36s). They were followed by Alise Oken (USA) and Gelvera, who boldly left out a stride to the penultimate line and appeared ahead of the pace before fanning wide and losing ground to the final two fences (38.44s).
“[Going] first, I thought the [jump-off] would be fast, but I didn’t think it would be wild,” Farrington said. “The first part of my round was secure, and then at that point going to the last jump, I thought I played it a bit safe.
“I thought I had done a pretty aggressive round that someone would have to try hard to catch. It got a little closer than I would have liked, but we had luck on our side today.”
Natural footspeed, a ground-saving track, and efficiency over the fences proved keys to victory. Farrington weighed the option of leaving out a stride in the first line, but it wasn’t the correct option for his partner. Instead, he planned for an extra stride and a tight, time-saving turn to the next fence.
“My strategy was to ride [Greya’s round] and try to put the pressure on the ones behind me,” Farrington explained. “I took the chances where I thought I could. I maybe could have done one less [stride] up the first line…but it wasn’t there [for me]. My short eight [strides] ended up very quick.”
Farrington began to eye the NAL opener as a target following his return from the Paris Olympic Games. Farrington and Greya were selected to represent the U.S. for the assignment, but Farrington made the decision to withdraw when his horse developed a cough.
“First I had to get her feeling better. She had a bad cough that made us unable to compete,” he shared. “I had to give her ten days of no riding, let her get some antibiotics and get her back to America. From there, we said, ‘Let’s just see how she goes, at her own pace.’ I let her feel good with some tiny rounds last week, and then we built up this week. Today she felt great, and I thought she performed great. I’m exciting to get going.”
Farrington has always thought highly of Greya, first discovering the mare as a five-year-old in Europe. He elected to keep her overseas for a year before importing her and beginning to work with the mare in his stable. From there, it’s been a careful, calculated and exciting development process.
“She’s a sensational horse,” he gushed. “She was always extremely, extremely careful. She had a bit of a wild personality, but she’s always been an exceptional athlete and a special horse. I’m very proud of what she’s developed into. We’re still at the very start of her career. I’m excited to see where it goes.”
Currently the world’s 10th-ranked jumping athlete and a former World No. 1, Farrington has competed in the World Cup Finals on seven occasions, but his best finish came at Riyadh (KSA)—with Greya and Toulayna, who competed in the opening day’s speed competition.
“We went to World Cup Finals last year, and it went great. It was a big step up for [Greya],” Farrington reflected. “I would like to do it [again] with two horses, like I did last time. I would say [Basel] is definitely in my sights. Hopefully my horses are in good form when that time comes around.”
Farrington has assumed an early lead in the North American League standings with 20 points. Oken sits second with 17 points, followed by Daniel Bluman (ISR) with 15 points.
FULL RESULTS here.
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