December 7, 2016—The competition is hotter than ever right now in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League with only four events left for athletes to win valuable qualifying points toward next spring’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Omaha, Nebraska, March 29–April 2, 2017. Only 14 slots are available for North American riders to qualify for the Final and while the rankings are getting tight, the competition is getting fierce.

Richard Fellers & Flexible | Amy K. Dragoo/AIMMEDIA photo

Did You Know?
Think you know everything about our top-ranked Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League athletes? Think again! Check out some of these interesting tidbits:

The top-three placed athletes at Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Del Mar—Enrique Gonzalez, Eric Navet and Eduardo Menezes—are all friends who live within a mile of each other in San Diego County, California. Gonzalez and Menezes (ranked first and sixth in the Western Sub-League, respectively) launched their collaborative business “E2 Stables” in 2014.

Of all the competitors currently ranked in the top 10 in both the Eastern and Western Sub-Leagues, Richard Fellers is the only one who’s ever won a Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final—in 2012, with his current horse Flexible.

Seven Olympians from four nations are currently listed in the top rankings: From the USA are Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Richard Fellers and Laura Kraut. Enrique Gonzalez is from Mexico, Eduardo Menezes represents Brazil and Eric Navet hails from France.

Lauren Tisbo, ranked fifth in the Eastern Sub-League, competes her stallion Mr. Visto in a “war bridle” (a simple rope bit with no headstall or noseband). American rider Susie Hutchison also used a similar bit when she rode Samsung Woodstock at the 1993 World Cup Final.

Charlie Jacobs competes as an amateur rider. The eighth-ranked rider in the Eastern Sub-League works full-time as Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North’s Boston Holdings (his family’s company), including the NHL Boston Bruins.

Horses: The Stars of the Show
Though it’s the riders who seem to be in the spotlight during the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League, no one can deny that these athletes love their elite equine partners and show them as much respect and admiration as they deserve.

McLain Ward & HH Azur | Amy K. Dragoo/AIMMEDIA photo

“He’s smarter than most people. He’s my best friend. I can’t say enough good things about him.”—Jonathan McCrea on Special Lux with whom he won Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Bromont.

“She’s really sweet in the stable, she’s very quiet—a little opposite of how she is in the competition arena. She’s a good pet; like a puppy, really friendly.”—Kent Farrington on Gazelle, after winning the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York.

“She’s a horse of a lifetime if I hadn’t had Sapphire, but to get a second one like this is pretty incredible. I hope I do her justice.”—McLain Ward on HH Azur after their victory at Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto.

“I think he’s probably the easiest horse I’ve ever ridden. He can package his stride to 10 feet and open it to 16, or 18, feet. He can do it all within 10 strides. He’s really special.”—Jenni McAllister on LEGIS Touch The Sun after taking top honors at Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Calgary.

Find out the latest news, results, interviews, photo galleries and behind-the-scenes action at Practical Horseman.

Want to learn more about the first 10 events of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League? Check out how who won!

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