The penultimate week of the ESP Summer Series closed out with another big win for Kent Farrington of Wellington, FL and Jasper, owned by Tanma Corp & Kent Farrington. The duo claimed top honors in Sunday’s $20,000 Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center Grand Prix which took place out on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village after they completed the jump-off in just 36.058 seconds. Following close behind with a jump-off time of 36.624 seconds was Hilary McNerney of Wellington, FL and her entry Chuck 27 to take home the red ribbon. Farrington returned to the winner’s circle for third-place honors with Haity McNerney’s Kaprice after a 36.645-second jump-off.
Kent Farrington on Jasper in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.This is Farrington’s latest win at the ESP Summer Series, and when asked what his secret to success was he commented, “There’s no real secret. I think as everyone knows you need great horses. I feel very fortunate to have great people around me on my team. Not only on the owner side, but also on my staff side. And the most important factor being that I have great horses and I feel very fortunate to have Susan Chu owning [Jasper] with me along with the McNerney family, whose daughter finished second today and their other horse [Kaprice] finished third, so I think that shows the full strength of our horse power.”
Kent Farrington on Jasper. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
A total of 26 combinations entered the competition, with 11 pairs continuing on to the second round to test Guilherme Jorge’s course set on the Derby Field. After his win, Farrington revealed that he prefers having the Grand Prixs on the grass: “I think it’s more natural for the horses. The bigger setting on a huge field like this is great because they can work out of a real, natural gallop. I actually think they jump easier and the ground is more forgiving, so for me that’s the best for the horses and the sport.” Farrington plans to continue showing at PBIEC throughout the Fall and looks forward to the addition of the FEI 3* competition.
For full class results, click here. The ESP Summer Series, hosted at Equestrian Village, concludes this week with the Rita & Irish Flynn Memorial Show on September 25-27.