It was a jam-packed weekend for show jumping, with the Longines Global Champions Tour in New Jersey (see our lead story), the American Gold Cup in Michigan and the Longines League of Nations in St. Tropez, France.
Kent Farrington showed once again while he’s ranked as world number one by taking the Gold Cup in Traverse City with Greya, a sensational mare he developed. The victory was Greya’s sixth 5-star triumph within a year.
Kent revealed, “My biggest concern today was going to be measuring the speed it was going to take to win.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.”
His fiercest competition came from two Irish riders. Shane Sweetnam, winner of the qualifier, was second with James Kann Cruz, while Daniel Coyle wound up third on Farrel. But attention should also be paid to rising star Stella Wasserman of the U.S., who has begun training with McLain Ward. She was fourth on Precious Dwerse Hagen. (McLain was sixteenth on High Star Hero).
click here for results
In St. Tropez, the USA’s Karl Cook and Carcole de la Roque scored yet another European win for the season, topping the Longines Grand Prix over Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Dinozo Imperio Egipcio. The USA’s Laura Kraut was third with Biquetta.
Karl often kisses his mare, to show his affection for her.
“Every day I get to ride her is a gift, every day I get to jump her is a gift, and every day I get to show her is just the top gift,” he said.
It should be noted that the course designer was Gregory Bodo, half of the team that laid out the routes for the Paris Olympics. Karl was the only U.S. rider to be fault-free during the team competition in Paris.
Karl’s team wasn’t as lucky in the League of Nations competition, however, finishing sixth of seven countries. However, the team qualified for the finale of the League in Barcelona next month.
Click here for St. Tropez grand prix results Click this link for St. Tropez League of Nations results