This time the numbers were right.
Greya, the highest-ranked horse in the field of the $1 million Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open, demonstrated on the ground why she was rated number one overall on paper as she topped a five-horse jump-off with her usual flair.
Paired with her astute rider Kent Farrington, who is devoted to the celebrated grey mare he proudly calls “My favorite horse,” Greya (Colestus X Contender) gave her audience of 10,000 in Wellington, Fla., something to cheer about during the finale of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Kent and Freya on their way to victory.
Five horses emerged for the jump-off from a field of 41 over a 14-obstacle course laid out by Guillherme Jorge, who has designed the WEF series-ending grand prix for 12 years.
Greya was put at the top of the list before the class in EquiRating’s evaluation of the equine talent, with an ELO of 780. It’s a score that takes into account a horse’s long-term consistency, how competitively it is performing and the quality of opponents it is beating.
Only two in the tiebreaker were fault-free while making the most of a couple of long gallops on the route that offered a chance to show off their speed.
Great Britain’s Ben Maher, the 2020 Olympics individual gold medalist, was in the difficult position of being first to go and gave it his all with Enjeu de Grisien.
Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien
His deftly executed effort in 43.72 seconds was a great comeback from Thursday’s qualifier, when he hit the ground after Dalla Vegas Batilly twice refused the airy U.S. Open jump.
Discussing his strategy, he explained, “It was about putting enough pressure on, leaving the jumps up and forcing them (the other riders) into mistakes, which I did. All but one. Ken’s just a pain in the ass. He’s always there, and he’s always fast.”
Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino had a rail, so when Kent went next on Greya, he was focusing on Ben’s performance.
I had to look twice to see whether Greya had sprouted wings as she flew over the fences under Kent’s astute guidance with an equine/human mind meld. Their clocking of 42.99 seconds was impressive, though Kent knew his lead wasn’t infallible.
“I took enough risk to put peer pressure on…but I didn’t take all the risk,” he recounted of his strategy to earn the $300,000 winner’s share of the purse.
He was aware that someone who dared “a crazy round” might edge ahead of him.
“So I knew it was possible to be beat, but it was going to take a lot of doing,” he said.
Toasting the class: Guilherme Jorge, Richie Vogel, Kent Farrington, Ben Maher and Wellington International CEO Michael Stone.
Darragh Kenny of Ireland, whose Eddy Blue was ranked just below Greya with an ELO of 774, had the front rail at the last of eight fences, the Rolex oxer.
European Champion Richie Vogel was the last with a chance to upset the USA’s leader, and he took advantage of it on Gangster Montdesir, moving faster than Kent had. But at the last fence, the front rail went down and his quicker round in 42.87 seconds was only good enough for third with the add-on of 4 penalties.
“That wasn’t a great ride to the last fence,” Richie admitted, musing that in hindsight he should have done one less stride to the Rolex oxer.
He’s only been riding Gangster for seven months, so it was still quite an accomplishment to come in third.
I have been curious about the horse’s odd name, so I asked Richie what was behind it.
He said the horse came from the breeder with that name. He is shy around the barn, but when he gets in the ring, it’s a whole different assertive personality, as we saw in his performance in the Open.
On the podium: Kent Farrington, Ben Maher and Richie Vogel with USEF President Tom O’Mara and the U.S. Open trophy.
Kent, who has a stable just down the road from the showgrounds, was mobbed by kids (mostly girls) in the post-competition autograph session in the arena. Being a resident of the area has its popularity perks.
Kent greets his fans.
“It’s always great to win at home,” said Kent, noting Wellington is an equestrian community.
They get a great local crowd that comes out and cheers for all of us. but particularly the American riders. I hadn’t won a grand prix yet this season so it was a great way to finish my season this year,” he commented.
Of his mare, he said “she’s really an exceptional horse as you see and as those stats say. She can do everything, she’s fast, she’s careful, she’s scopey, she’s rideable. An incredible horse.”
He called her “an outlier athlete.”
Kent and Greya take their victory gallop.
It was the first finale win for an American rider in seven years. The last two years, the class was won by 2024 Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk of Germany on Checker 47, but they didn’t finish the first round. Checker crashed through the narrow wall that was the second fence, and Christian retired.
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