Now it’s official. Laura Kraut, Audrey Coulter, McLain Ward, Charlie Jacobs and Todd Minikus are going to Omaha for next week’s Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals, representing the East Coast.
Kent Farrington finished first in the North American League’s East Coast subleague, but said all along he wouldn’t if he didn’t think Creedance was ready. After a fall March 11 from the chestnut, it seemed he had his answer, though he and the horse bounced back Saturday to finish second in the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
From the West Coast, Karl Cook, Jenni McAllister and Jamie Barge qualified. California-based Nayel Nassar of Egypt also qualified, as did French rider Eric Navet, who also lives in California. Texas-based Christian Heineking of Germany also will be going.
In dressage, U.S. riders are Laura Graves and Kasey Perry-Glass, who qualified through the regular process, and Steffen Peters, the 2009 finals winner, making the cut as an “extra.”
Competition begins March 29 and ends April 2 at the CenturyLink Center.
McLain Ward and HH Azur are among the favorites to win the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping final in Omaha. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)