Kent Farrington snatches de 3rd Grand Prix
On an unseasonably cold and blustery South Florida day, it was survival of the fittest during the main event on Sunday afternoon at the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The $60,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup wrapped up week three at the festival, the nation’s longest running and largest equestrian extravaganza.
Fifty nine starters lined up for today’s 2 p.m. featured event, the second American Grand Prix Association (AGA) class of the 2006 tour. Scoring was under FEI Art. 238.2.2., Time First-Jump-Off. Robert J. Ellis of Great Britain designed today’s challenge.
And quite a challenge it was. Of the fifty-nine that started today, only two competitors could muster a clean round over the difficult and technical track that featured three double combinations: the first a vertical to an oxer, the second an oxer to oxer, and the third a vertical to a vertical. Those last two combinations came in succession. The double of oxers at 9a and 9b accounted for 38 rails down, while the double verticals at 10a and 10b tallied another 20 poles on the floor. A very tight time allowed only added to already difficult going. Twenty-eight of today’s fifty-nine starters could not get home within the time allowed.
Seven horse and rider combinations cruised home with only a single knockdown, while another twelve had eight faults. Thirteen competitors had three rails down and seventeen riders had 16 faults or more. Nine duos elected to withdraw or were eliminated.
The first of the two clear rides came twenty-nine deep in the starting order when Kimberly Prince and Marlou from the Windmill Ranch mastered the course. One horse later, Kent Farrington on the 2005 AGA Horse of the Year Madison, owned by Alexa Weeks, produced the second clear ride of the day.
In the jump-off, a stumble and a stop for Prince and Marlou at the second fence on the speed course opened the door for Farrington, and he walked right in. He and Madison went on to score their second clear ride of the day, earning the victory and putting Madison back at the top of the charts in the race for 2006 Horse of the Year title. For the record, Farrington was clear in 57.42 seconds.
Course Designer Robert Ellis discussed his course after today’s event. “It turned out to be a very difficult course. We put a few distance problems out there, and we also made it very delicate, so it took a lot of riding. I thought we’d get five to seven clear, especially after how they jumped on Thursday,” He added, “I thought the double of verticals (10a and b) to the oxer at 11 would be the real problem spot. It had a very short distance and then either a long four or a short five running towards the in gate as well. I didn’t think the double of oxers would cause as much problems as they did. I’m surprised really.”
Results (12/02/06)
CSI*** Palm Beach – AM5
1. Kent Farrington / Madison / USA / 0 / 0 / 57,42s
2. Kimberly Prince / Marlou / USA / 0 / eliminada
3. Laura Chapot / Little Big Man / USA / 4/79.48
4. Megan Lamaze / Ollandaise / USA / 4 /79.63
5. Luciana Diniz / Locarno / BRA/ 4/8178
6. Eric Lamaze / Hickstead / CAN / 4 / 79.63
7. Norman Dello Joio / Quriel / USA / 4 / 83.81
8. Laurie Bucci / Catesko / CAN / 4 / 84.10
9. Robin Sweely / Qarco V't Merelsnest / USA / 5 / 85.06
10.Beezie Madden / Desilvio / USA / 8 / 81.57