Ocala, FL – Thirty-three top horse-and-rider combinations from 10 nations competed in the $117,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*. After an intense jump-off, Kent Farrington (USA) saved the best for last, claiming victory with his accomplished partner, Orafina (For Fashion x Caturo), owned by Kent Farrington LLC.
FEI Level IV course designer Anderson Lima (MEX) crafted a flowing track that allowed horses to jump in top form. Nineteen pairs advanced to a fast-paced, nail-biting jump-off, with only nine managing double-clear rounds.
Daniel Bluman (ISR) set the tone aboard Over the Top Stables LLC’s Gemma W, finishing in 36.29 seconds. Daniel Coyle (IRL) followed with Langley, shaving time down to 35.04 seconds.
The lead didn’t last long. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman), an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc., delivered a blazing fast round in 33.47 seconds to take over the top spot.
Several riders attempted to match her time but fell short. Richard Spooner (USA) came closest, piloting the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano) to a smooth 34.58 seconds for second place at that point.
Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut (USA) and Tres Bien Z were the fastest at 33.22 seconds but had a heartbreaking rail in the double combination, leaving the door open.
All eyes turned to Olympian Kent Farrington and the 13-year-old KWPN mare Orafina as the final pair to go. The duo flew through the course, finding every fence on an open gallop. They stopped the clock at 33.27 seconds to claim the win.
“My plan was to try to win,” laughed Farrington. “Orafina has a very long stride. She easily does one less in a line or even two less, if you want to. What we need to work on is the turns, but today she was turning great, and that’s how we were able to win.”
Farrington also shared his thoughts on the venue. “The jumps here are very impressive. It’s a fantastic venue with beautiful fences, and sometimes that can produce more clear rounds because the horses are quite impressed. That’s why I think we had more clear rounds than anticipated today.”
Orafina’s performance marked an incredible return to form. “Orafina is a fantastic horse—razor-sharp and unbelievably careful. She’s one of the most careful horses I’ve ever ridden, and she’s incredibly fast as well. This is our second show back after nearly a year off due to injury, and she’s two-for-two this week. I’m very happy she’s back in great form.”
$117,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* Results:
1 ORAFINA: 2012 KWPN mare by For Fashion x Canturo
Kent Farrington (USA), Kent Farrington LLC: 0/0/33.27
2 BULL RUN’S JIREH: 2014 Holsteiner gelding by Uriko x Colman
Kristen Vanderveen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0/0/33.47
3 LYJANAIR: 2014 Holsteiner gelding by Lyjanero x Coriano
Richard Spooner (USA), Show Jumping Syndications Int’l: 0/0/34.58
4 ITCHCOCK DES DAMES: 2014 Belgian Sport Horse by Marius Claudius x Calvaro F.c.
Jad Dana (LBN), The Itchy Group: 0/0/34.82
5 LANGLEY: 2014 Warmblood mare by Lansdowne x Andiamo
Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/0/35.04
6 CORIAAN VAN KLAPSCHEUT Z: 2016 Zangersheide gelding by Comme Il Faut 5 x Lord Z
Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Sweet Oak Farm: 0/0/35.81
7 BISQUETTA: 2014 Zangersheide mare by Bisquet Balou C x Takashi Van Berkenbroek
Laura Kraut (USA), Cherry Knoll Farm, INC: 0/0/35.97
8 GEMMA W: 2011 KWPN mare by Luidam x Unaniem
Daniel Bluman (ISR), Over The Top Stables LLC: 0/0/36.29
9 CORSICA X: 2013 Holsteiner mare by Connor 48 x Corofino II
Rene Dittmer (GER), Mark Miness: 0/0/36.75
10 TRES BIEN Z: 2015 Zangersheide gelding by Toulon x Nabab De Reve
Laura Kraut (USA), St. Bride’s Farm: 0/4/33.22
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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