WELLINGTON, Fla.--Kent Farrington on Greya was a runaway winner of the $200,000 Holiday & Horses CSI4* Grand Prix, winning in an eight horse jump-off by six seconds.

Kent Farrington on Greya (Photo by Cassidy Klein)Anthony D’Ambrosio set the course for the starting field of 39, of which eight went clean. 

Hallie Grimes on Karoline of Ballmore went first in the jump-off, going clean in 45.78 seconds, which ultimately finished second.

Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on Coriaan van Klapscheut Z followed next, finishing with four faults in 43.46 that ultimately placed third, following his CSI3* Grand Prix win just two weeks prior.

Then Farrington delivered a masterclass in speed and precision, finishing clean in 39.34 seconds.

The remaining riders, Erynn Ballard of Canada and Jad Dana of Portugal, had four faults while Stephanie Macieira ad Daniel Bluman had eight faults.

 

“I GREW UP in Chicago but have been coming to Wellington for a long time, so it’s my home now," said Farrington. "I think the upgrades are great. There’s a great team led by Murray Kessler and with Rolex supporting it and elevating the facility’s status. As they continue to make improvements, it’s better for all of us who call Wellington home.”

“I jumped Greya very small today to build her confidence," he said. "She’s an extremely careful horse, and I manage her accordingly. All horses have different issues and weaknesses, and I try to build those into strengths or help them with their weakness and I’m always trying to do.”

As for what’s next, Farrington has Geneva on the radar:

“The plan is to bring Greya, Toulayna, and Garrison, but with horses, sometimes they have different ideas. That is our current plan, and hopefully it will remain so.”

Following the $200,000 Grand Prix, Caroline Mawhinney won the $25,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix

There were 12 in the jump-off, which Mawhinney on Carsey Z won, clean in 37.543 seconds.

Alison Robitaille on Dagny was a close second in 37.788 seconds, while Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen on Mochito V/D Mishagen placed third in 38.822 seconds.