LEXINGTON, Ky.--Kent Farrington on Descartes SR narrowly edged McLain Ward on High Star Hero to win the $340,000, CSI5*, 1.60m Grand Prix, a part of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, on Saturday evening, April 25.
Kent Farrnington on Descartes SR (Photo by Cindy Lee for MacMillan Photography)Farrington, riding a 9-year-old in his first time in a 5*, won in a seven horse jump-off from a starting field of 42 over a course set by Guilherme Jorge.
He went first in the jump-off and set a time to beat that couldn't be caught, a difficult feat he has accomplished several times.
He finished clean in 39.92 to beat Ward, who finished in 40.42, by a half second, with Shane Sweetnam of Ireland n James Kann Cruz third in 40.71.
Laura Kraut on Una Mariposa was fourth in 42.32, with Natalie Dean on Acota M fifth in 44.02.
Richie Vogel on Iron Dames Abou-Chaker NRW had 16 faults for sixth, and Jessie Springsteen on Don Juan van de Donkhoeve withdrew after a stop to finish seventh.
Farrington has an amazing way of finding new young horses and taking them quickly up to a high level.
He only started riding Descartes VR last year, and didn't compete him until this past winter.
“I’M REALLY excited about this horse,” Farrington said. “He’s just 9 and this is his first five-star, and we started it the right way. He has an incredible stride like a racehorse, and I know he can eat up the ground.”
McLain Ward on High Star Hero (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photography)“I think it’s a very special horse, he’s been an exceptional talent since I started with him last year," he said. "He was bred in Mexico, and I think he’s an unbelievable horse. He has so much power for a small horse and incredible stride that really covers the ground, but he still has the lofty jump to clear the fence.”
“I try and do what horses are capable of in that moment and what is my best round for that horse, and if I do that, then I’m happy," he said.
"I thought my time tonight was catchable, so I feel lucky to have the win." Farrington said. “But I could easily have been third and been just as happy with the horse.”
This was Ward's first competition back after a bad fall in Wellington left him sidelined with a back injury and a broken bone in his hand.
“I was thrilled with Hero, he jumped brilliant,” Ward said. “I’ve been out about seven weeks, and this is my first show back, mildly against doctors’ orders. But he’s a good friend, and he did his job."
“For sure I’m disappointed to lose, but to lose to who I consider best in the world right now, there’s some salvation in that,” he said.
“He’s a great horse and his results speak for himself,” Sweetnam said. “He’s been on a good run this year, he’s doing everything the right way, and I’m just lucky to have him. He’s a brilliant jumper, and when you ask, ‘how do I keep the consistency?’ He does it. He wants to clear the jumps; he’s the key reason we’re consistent and I just try to do the right thing by him.”
The event will also be broadcast on:
· ESPN 2 - Sunday, May 10 at 8:00-10:00 a.m. ET
· ESPNews – Friday May 22 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET
The Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix will be shown on ESPNews on Sunday, May 3 at 7:00 a.m. ET.
