The final week of sport at the 2024 Traverse City Horse Shows continued on Friday during the iconic American Gold Cup. A field of 33 that included five of the world’s top 25 athletes put forth their best efforts in the $181,170 Cabana Coast CSI5* Qualifier in hopes of setting the tone for Sunday’s action.

Taking to the Cedric Longis (FRA) designed track, nine riders advanced to the tie-breaking jump-off, but it was last week’s five-star winner, Kent Farrington (USA), who took top call. Aboard Toulayna, owned by Rabbit Root Stables, Farrington raced to a win as the last to go, shaving a half a second from the time to beat.

“Toulayna has been a winner her whole life, she’s always been a winner for me,” said Farrington of the mare by Toulon x Parco. “She’s naturally very fast so it’s all about managing her speed. Before heading into the ring, it’s about keeping her calm and having her focus on me and our task in the ring.”

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