Kent Farrington Speeds to Victory at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show

Kent Farrington guided Austria 2 to victory in the $37,000 Jolera International Strength and Speed Challenge at the Toronto Royal Horse Show

It was Kent Farrington of the United States for the win in the $37,000 Jolera International Strength and Speed Challenge on Wednesday, November 6, at the Royal Horse Show, held as part of the 97th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.

Horse and rider combinations had to successfully negotiate an opening ‘strength’ phase set by Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt before immediately advancing to a ‘speed’ phase. Farrington did so in the fastest time, stopping the speed phase clock in 25.82 seconds riding Austria 2 for owner Take The High Road LLC.

“The horse is naturally very quick which is a big advantage, especially in a small indoor ring,” said Farrington of Austria 2, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Casall x Corrado I). “She’s a really feisty mare. It’s actually my favorite type of horse. She’s small. She’s light. She’s extremely athletic and very fast, so for me it’s a super horse.”

Farrington is a frequent competitor at the Royal Horse Show and won the feature event, the $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Toronto, in 2017.

“I think this is the best indoor show that we have in North America,” said Farrington, 38, who was a member of the U.S. silver medal team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “There is always great support from the Canadian crowd. It’s a small group of riders but a strong group of riders. It always feels good to win a class here.”

Ireland’s Conor Swail set the leading pace as the first rider into the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Riding GK Coco Chanel for owner Vanessa Mannix, Swail took a daring approach to the final fence which paid off with a time of 26.03 seconds that would hold up for second place. Canadian Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalist Eric Lamaze took third place with a time of 26.56 seconds riding Chacco Kid for the Chacco Kid Group. In his first appearance at the Royal Horse Show since 2011, Lamaze scored victory earlier in the day in the $37,000 McKee Family International Challenge riding his 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Fine Lady 5.

Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze took third in the $37,000 Jolera International Strength and Speed Challenge with Chacco Kid, having enjoyed a win earlier in the day riding Fine Lady 5. Ben Radvanyi Photography/Jump Media

International show jumping competition continues at the Royal Horse Show featuring Thursday evening’s $85,000 Big Ben Challenge, preceded by a special tribute to 10-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar in recognition of his retirement from international team competition. The $50,000 Canadian Open International Challenge, presented by 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, will highlight Friday night’s schedule before the Royal Horse Show culminates in the $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Toronto on Saturday night, November 9.

More than 1,000 horses from around the globe will compete for $980,000 in prize money during the 10-day CSI4*-W Royal Horse Show. VIP Platinum and Gold seating, as well as group and individual tickets, can be purchased HERE. All Royal Horse Show tickets include general admission to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.

$37,000 Jolera International Strength and Speed Challenge – Final Results Wednesday, November 6

1. Kent Farrington United States Austria 2 0 25.82
2. Conor Swail Ireland GK Coco Chanel 0 26.03
3. Eric Lamaze Canada Chacco Kid 0 26.56
4. Laura Kraut United States Confu 0 26.76
5. Daniel Bluman Israel Colestina H 0 26.89
6. Erynn Ballard Canada Catoki’s Son Z 0 28.30
7. Shane Sweetnam Ireland Deleyn 0 28.44
8. Rowan Willis Australia Cartouch III 0 28.83
9. Mario Deslauriers Canada Uris de la Roque 0 29.38
10. Beezie Madden United States Garant 0 30.00

About the North American League

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League, now in its fifth year, consists of 14 venues in three countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada. Each venue hosts qualifiers to determine the North American riders who will compete at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final (April 15-19) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The NAL, which offers $2.4 million in prize money, is one of 16 leagues that form the global FEI Jumping World Cup™ series, which has been in existence since 1978.

Follow the action before, during and after each qualifier with #FEIWorldCup, #Longines and #JumpToGreatness.

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