Another week of ESP Summer Series competition wrapped up on the Derby Field as Kent Farrington of Wellington, FL and Creedance dominated the $20,000 Resilient Fitness Grand Prix. The pair crossed through the jump-off timers in 42.746 seconds, besting a total of 37 competitors on the course designed by Jasen Shelley. Joao Eduardo Ferreira De Carvalho of Delray Beach, FL rode Volt Du Thot, owned by Karina Rocha Mello, to a second-place victory after a 44.98-second jump-off. Sophia Studd of Wellington, FL claimed third place aboard Holsteins Matina, owned by Marie Botved Studd, after they finished the jump-off track in 47.232 seconds.
Kent Farrington on Creedance. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
Farrington had a total of three entries in this Grand Prix, and has been working to keep them in shape despite the slower competition season this Summer. “Creedance and Gazelle are very experienced horses, and it’s a great opportunity to jump them on the grass. I think it’s one of the best arenas that we have in America, so the fact that they’re able to hold some shows here during this difficult time is great,” commented Farrington. “I wanted to take advantage of [this field] with my horses and still keep them in a bit of a routine even though there’s not a ton of shows going on right now.” The KPF Team recently returned from competition in North Carolina and Michigan, and the top rider expressed that he’s very happy some venues have been able to hold competitions, considering “a lot of other sports aren’t able to continue now.”
Cheryl Love, Founder and CEO of Resilient Fitness (left) with Kent Farrington on Creedance in their presentation ceremony. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
Many of his social media followers have also seen the incredible workouts that Farrington completes, so in honor of this week’s Grand Prix sponsor, Resilient Fitness, Farrington described how he manages to stay motivated and healthy during this time: “I take my job seriously. I think if we’re going to call ourselves athletes, then we have to be athletes. So, I try to be authentic to that and live and train like a top athlete should.”
Additional Jumper Highlights:
The $2,500 Equiline Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was championed by Sheer Levitin of Delray Beach, FL and her entry Love Scendix after they completed the second round in 36.589 seconds. Taking home the red ribbon was Luiza Leivas Da Costa of Boca Raton, FL after racing through the timers in 36.824 seconds aboard Luziada Jmen, owned by Bonne Chance Farm LLC. Sheer Levitin and her mount Anis De La Piece also clinched the third-place position with a 37.132-seond jump-off.
Sheer Levitin on Love Scendix. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
Sheer Levitin returned to the winner’s circle for the $2,500 Equiline Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, this time aboard her Vitus K and with a final time of 40.547 seconds. Christie Rugh-Bileddo of Port St. Lucie, FL captured second place with her entry Beotie De Ravel after they completed the course in 38.387 seconds and with four faults. Ansgar Holtgers Jr. of Wellington, FL stopped the clock at 40.65 seconds to claim the third-place ribbon with four faults aboard Alfonsine Manciaise, owned by Gut Einhaus, LLC.
Sheer Levitin on Vitus K. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
Over in the Van Kampen Covered Arena, the $250 CCTV Agent .85m Classic took place with Kate Marra of Delray Beach, FL topping the leaderboard with Kristin Schuttenmeyer’s On The Rocks after a 32.677-second round. Julia Lane of Wellington, FL was close behind with a time of 34.171 seconds aboard her mount Davinchie. Charlie Berch of Boca Raton, FL and Silver White Winters, owned by Jayden Rivas, took home third with a 34.896-second jump-off.
The $1,500 Low Child/Adult Amateur Jumper Classic presented by French Horse Exports named Manuela Gomez of Wellington, FL and Coignard Katalei, owned by Jorge Gomez, champion after they stopped the timers at 44.904 seconds. Angela Calicchio of Wellington, FL clinched the red ribbon aboard Cali Horse Sales LLC’s City Walk with a jump-off time of 50.042 seconds. Seconds behind to claim third was McKenna Schmell of Wellington, FL with a final time of 50.127 seconds aboard her entry Lordess of the Rings.
Kim Farlinger on Stanley Stone. Photo by PBIEC.
Earlier in the week, jumper competition began with the $5,000 Vita Flex-Lactanase 1.35m Open Stake. Canada’s Kim Farlinger captured the blue ribbon aboard Stanley Stone, owned by Sher-Al Farm Inc., with a 35.994-second jump-off. Ronan McGuigan of Wellington, FL rode Blythe Masters’ Ella Sandra G to second after a jump-off time of 37.859 seconds. Clinching third place was Gabriel De Matos Machado of Lexington, KY and RF Casablanca, owned by Raylyn Farms Inc, with a 39.878-second jump-off.
Kent Farrington on Jasper. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
On Friday, August 21, Kent Farrington piloted Jasper, owned by Kent Farrington & Tanma Corp, to victory in the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies Open Stake on the Derby Field in 42.843 seconds. Victoria Birdsall of Topsfield, MA claimed the red ribbon aboard Ilan Ferder’s Maestro Van Het Binnenveld with a jump-off time of 45.493 seconds, while Ronan McGuigan rode Elvis, owned by Blythe Masters, to third place in 45.87 seconds.
For full Grand Prix class results, click here. The ESP Summer Series, hosted at Equestrian Village, continues this week with USEF “A” National & Jumper 4* competition from Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30.