Ocala, FL – A competitive field of Olympians and some of the world’s best riders gathered at the WEC Grand Arena on Thursday to vie for top honors in the $117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*. Fresh off a string of five-star and four-star victories, Kent Farrington (USA) piloted his promising young partner, Grass De Mars (Windows Vh Costersveld x Dollar Dela Pierre) owned by Robinson Ridge, LLC, straight to the top of the leaderboard after an incredibly fast jump-off.
2024 Paris Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo (FRA), with assistance from Pieter Vitse (BEL), set an intricate track for the 39 horse-and-rider combinations. Thirteen managed to stay within the time allowed and deliver clear rounds, securing a spot in the jump-off. With top riders representing the United States, Ireland, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Germany and Argentina, the final showdown was set to be a fast one.
Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden (USA) was the first to return, setting an early benchmark with Nairobi in 36.78 seconds. Anna Dryden (USA) put in a strong effort aboard Christians Carado but encountered an unlucky rail, finishing in 43.03 seconds.
Simon McCarthy (IRL) entered next with one of his quickest partners, Gotcha (Stakkato x Cassini I) owned by Rock Ridge Farms. McCarthy guided the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare to an impressive round in 34.54 seconds to take over the lead.
Several riders came close to McCarthy’s time but couldn’t quite catch him. Philip McGuane (IRL) was the closest challenger, piloting Evergate Stables LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Orphea HQ (Emerald x Epleaser Van’t Heike) to a time of 35.61 seconds.
It seemed McCarthy had the win secured, but last to go was Kent Farrington—who has been on an undeniable hot streak. Now ranked World No. 3, Farrington has racked up victories this year, including a four-star win at WEC – Ocala, a five-star win in California and two five-star wins in Wellington.
Farrington entered the arena with the same winning mindset aboard the talented young mare Grass De Mars, who is just coming off of a five-star ranking class win from last week. As the last to go, Farrington was able to watch a few rounds. “We were talking about how fast they would go between one and two, would someone do eight strides? Beezie went in first and did the eight, so that answered that question very quickly,” he laughed.
Farrington adjusted his lines to maximize efficiency, staying slightly wide and slicing the jumps to maintain momentum. “She’s very intuitive, she’s really following my riding, so when I want to break a line to the left or the right, she’s 100% with me, which is obviously a huge advantage. This one is a dream because she’s with you each and every step.”
The nine-year-old Selle Français mare was perfectly in tune with Farrington as they powered around the track, crossing the timers in an unbelievable 33.97 seconds to claim the win.
Reflecting on his partnership with the careful and quick mare, he shared, “She’s a very special horse. I got her at the end of her seven-year-old year with the Philippaerts, and then I had her in Florida as an eight-year-old. I bought them out and have the horse together with Katie Jacobs-Robinson. That’s a new partnership for us and obviously very exciting to have a horse like this.”
$117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* Results
1 GRASS DE MARS: 2016 Selle Français mare by Windows Vh Costersveld x Dollar Dela Pierre
Kent Farrington (USA), Robinson Ridge, LLC: 0/0/33.97
2 GOTCHA: 2011 Holsteiner mare by Stakkato x Cassini I
Simon Mccarthy (IRL), Rock Ridge Farms: 0/0/34.54
3 ORPHEA HQ: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Emerald x Epleaser Van’t Heike
Philip McGuane (IRL), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/0/35.61
4 QUIMI DEL MASET: 2014 CDE gelding by Quasimodo Z x Indret Del Masset
Mclain Ward (USA), Sport Four USA LLC: 0/0/36.14
5 SCOOP DE SEPTON Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Hunters Scendro x Echo Van T Spieveld
Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 0/0/36.19
6 NAIROBI: 2015 Oldenburg mare by Casallco x Landadel
Elizabeth Madden (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/36.78
7 CHACCO BUMPY: 2010 Oldenburg mare by Chacco-blue x Toulon
Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG), Luis Pedro Biraben: 0/0/37.49
8 PST DE MUZE: 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare by Vigo D Arsouilles Stx x Clinton
Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP), Sigma Stables LLC: 0/0/37.79
9 S & L QUATRO VAN DE MEERPUTHOEVE: 2016 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Jon Pleasure Van De Mispelaere x Vancouver D’auvray
Mario Deslauriers (CAN), S & L Farms: 0/0/39.03
10 EDGARD DE PREFONTAINE: 2010 Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Contact Van De Heffinck x Orlando
Philip McGuane (IRL), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/0/39.75
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
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