Kent Farrington Speeds Creedance to Victory in Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4*

Lexington, Ky. – Oct. 29, 2020 – Show jumping took centerstage Thursday at the 137th National Horse Show as partnerships took to the Alltech Arena for the first day of jumper contests, with four classes offering opportunities to collect prize money. The evening’s highlight class, the Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4*, showcased the efforts of top-ranked international challengers hailing from seven nations, namely the United States, Israel, Ireland, Great Britain, Brazil, New Zealand and Canada. Speeding to the head of the rankings as the most efficient duo of the skilled pack, Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance, the horse he co-owns with Haity McNerney, added another accolade to their lengthy list, topping a 9-horse jump-off field to claim the lead spot in the victory gallop. Earlier in the afternoon, the EquiJet $5,000 Junior Jumper’s swiftest trip came from Zayna Rizvi and North Run’s Quivive S Z. Turning in the quickest jump-off round ahead of a tight race, Julia Weiss and her own Dior topped the leaderboard in the $5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumpers to kick off their event on a high note.

Kent Farrington won the $72,900 Phelps Media Group Welcome Stake CSI4*.

Pictured with Lenore Phillips of Phelps Media Group.

Attracting the likes of American competitors that included Longines FEI World No. 8 Beezie Madden (USA), No. 10 McLain Ward (USA), No. 11 Farrington, plus international entries such as Daniel Bluman (ISR), Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Shane Sweetnam (IRL), the Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4* boasted a start list of elite talent. Well-respected veteran course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) crafted the first-round track of 16 efforts, which effectively separated the best performers from the group. The trailblazers, Deslauriers and Uris De La Roque were the first to go and immediately logged a clear trip, and they were soon joined by Farrington on Creedance, Alex Granato (USA) riding Carlchen W and Adam Prudent (USA) with Baloutinue. A number more successful efforts followed from Lillie Keenan (USA) aboard Fasther, Devin Ryan (USA) riding Eddie Blue, David Blake (IRL) aboard Keoki, Sweetnam on Indra Van De Oude Heihoef and Spencer Smith (USA) with Quibelle to bring the total list of qualified jump-off contenders to nine.

Alex Granato with Carlchen W

Whittled down to representatives from Canada, the United States and Ireland, the exhibitors in the tie-breaker round ultimately produced a mere four double-clear performances for the night’s highlight event. Proving why they are consistently ranked one of the top finishers in the world in upper-echelon competitions, Farrington and Creedance set the pace as the first partnership to leave all the rails in their cups for a second time, stopping the clock in 33.25 seconds. Though the seven subsequent teams tried to chase them down, none could catch the swift time set by Farrington and Creedance, solidifying them as the victors. Riding Page Tredennicks’s ever-speedy Carlchen W, Granato jumped to the runner-up spot in a fault-free 33.61 seconds, followed by Keenan and Chansonette Farm LLC’s Fasther in third position in 34.75 seconds to make for an all-American podium.

Zayna Rizvi with Quivive S Z with Bastian Schroeder of EquiJet

The day also saw 20 hopeful exhibitors navigate the 15-obstacle pattern of 1.40m fences set by Jorge for the EquiJet $5,000 Junior Jumper class. Following the first round of riding, seven partnerships returned to the Alltech Arena to vie over the abridged jump-off track. Rizvi posed the greatest threat of victory as the only rider with two mounts qualified for the tie-breaker round, and she saved the best for last, galloping Quivive S Z to a clear time of 31.050 seconds to capture the blue ribbon. Elli Yeager nabbed the reserve spot aboard her own Waliba VDL in 32.613 seconds with no faults, and Rizvi added to her success as she bookended the podium as the third and final double-clear rider on Peacock Ridge LLC’s Chaplin W in 35.525 seconds.

Julia Weiss with Dior

Similar to their junior counterparts, the amateur-owner exhibitors tackled the identical 1.40m course for their time in the limelight during the $5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper class. Proving themselves as the clear victors as the only combination to leave all the fences intact, Weiss and Dior mastered the course in a clear time of 74.410 seconds, a lead that would hold as the only fault-free entry, negating the need for a jump-off. With 4 faults in 76.420 seconds, Joanna Wolffer captured second place with the reins on her own HH Earley, and Isabel Harbour earned the third-place honors riding IMH Equine LLC’s Reposado with 5 faults to their name.

Show jumping will continue for two more days at the 2020 National Horse Show. Friday will feature $10,000 classes for juniors and amateurs, as well as the T & R Development $36,600 International Speed Class CSI4*. Saturday will serve as the premiere day of the show, when it hosts the $25,000 SJHF Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper Grand Prix and $213,300 National Horse Show Grand Prix CSI4*.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Kent Farrington (USA) – Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4* winner

On coming to the end of the competition year:

“2020 was a crazy year, so I am definitely happy that I have such great support with great owners and great horses. I feel very lucky that we are still able to compete in our sport. The National Horse Show has done a great job here making it safe. All that being said, Creedence was fantastic. He was really on form today. I thought his jump off was Creedance at his best. He was careful and quick and that is what it took to win tonight.”

On the courses in the Phelps Media Group $72,900 Welcome Stake CSI4*:

“In the US we don’t get to jump a lot indoors. Luckily, Creedance has a lot of experience competing inside and around the world and I knew that I could count on him to bring him here and have him be reliable. The top three horses here today are competitive at any place with very strong riders and I think that we are all looking forward to the grand prix.”

RESULTS

Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / R1 Faults | R1 Time / R2 Faults | R2 Time

Phelps Media Group $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4*:

1. Creedence / Kent Farrington / USA / Kent Farrington / 0 | 75.72 / 0 | 33.25

2. Carlchen W / Alex Granato / USA / Page Tredennick / 0 | 78.70 / 0 | 33.61

3. Fasther / Lillie Keenan / USA / Chansonette Farm LLC / 0 | 77.550 / 0 | 34.75

4. Quibelle / Spencer Smith / USA / Gotham Enterprizes LLC / 0 | 79.79 / 0 | 38.61

5. Indra Van De Oude Heihoef / Shane Sweetnam / IRL / The Blue Buckle Group / 0 | 77.71 / 4 | 35.09

6. Eddie Blue / Devin Ryan / USA / LL Show Jumpers, LLC / 0 | 79.690 / 4 | 35.52

7. Baloutinue / Adam Prudent / USA / Plain Bay Farm / 0 | 77.62 / 4 | 36.83

8. Keoki / David Blake / IRL / Pine Hollow Farm / 0 | 77.420 / 4 | 36.85

9. Uris de la Roque / Mario Delauriers / CAN / Aram Ampagoumian LLC / 0 | 76.79 / 4 | 37.69

10. HH Callas / Megan McDermott / USA / Counter Balance LLC / 4 | 77.40

11. Breitling LS / Beezie Madden / USA / Abigail Wexner / 4 | 78.39

12. Luibanta BH / Amanda Derbyshire / GBR / Gochman Sport Horse LLC / 4 | 78.39

Place / Horse / Rider / Owner

Taylor Harris Insurance Services $5,000 International Speed

1. Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili / Kristen Vanderveen / Bull Run Jumpers Five LLF

2. La Caramba / Rodrigo Pessoa / Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC

3. Pepita Con Spita / Hunter Holloway / Hays Investment Corp.

EquiJet $5,000 Junior Jumper Welcome

1. Quivive S Z / Zayna Rizvi / North Run

2. Waliba VDL / Elli Yeager / Elli Yeager

3. Chaplin W / Zayna Rizvi / Peacock Ridge LLC

$5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome

1. Dior / Julia Weiss / Julia Weiss

2. HH Early / Joanna Wolffer / Joanna Wolffer

3. Reposado / Isabel Harbour / IMH Equine LLC

Kit McClorey and High Tide Rise to Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Finish

Hunter competition at the 2020 National Horse Show continued Thursday with the crowning of champions in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter divisions. As one of the most prestigious horse shows in America, the National Horse Show featured Amateur-Owner riders and their top mounts, who showed their best over the course of two days, all hoping to claim the coveted Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter tricolor ribbon at the conclusion. Rising to the top of the competitive 30 horse-and-rider combinations across the Younger and Older cards, it was Kit McClorey and Indian Rock Farms, LLC’s High Tide who were awarded the “Susanne Stroh” Perpetual Trophy and the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Grand Champion title.

Kit McClorey and High Tide

Taking back-to-back blues for their stellar efforts in Wednesday’s Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter over fences and handy rounds, McClorey and High Tide continued their winning streak with yet another first-place finish in the under saddle class. In the final class of the division, the Oare & Adikes-Hill Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 Stake, High Tide jumped to an impressive score of 84 to finish in the second-place position out of the field of entries. The pair’s 36-point total score led them straight to the winner’s circle to be crowned Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Over 36 Champion. McClorey and High Tide were then invited back to the arena one last time to receive their second gold medal of the day, this time for the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Grand Champion.

McClorey and the 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding have been partnered together for four years. High Tide, who was found in a field by McClorey’s trainer Amanda Thomas, has found great success in the hunter ranks, most recently winning the Reserve Champion title of the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter at the 2020 Captial Challenge Horse Show. McClorey was thrilled with the performances of “Boden,” praising him for his faithful attitude throughout the two days of the division.

Kit McClorey and Hight Tide.

Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

That afternoon, junior riders made their way into the Alltech Arena for the start of the Junior Hunter divisions. In the Small Junior Hunters, Kat Fuqua and Cornell 22 put their best foot forward to lead the younger section after day one of the division, while Christopher Coberly and No Introduction ruled the ring in the older section. In the Large Junior Hunters, Alexander Alston and *Cash* are tied for the lead with Kat Fuqua and Grand Remo in the younger section, while Sophia Mitchell and Chevito got a head start towards the championship in the older section.

Competition at the 137th National Horse Show will continue Friday, October 30, with the Junior Hunter divisions coming to a pinnacle. Following the crowning of their respective champions, jumper riders will take to the Alltech Arena for the EquiJet $10,000 Junior Jumper, $10,000 Amateur Jumper and the T&R Development $36,600 International Speed class. Scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. that night, hunter horses and riders will reclaim the spotlight for the highlight class of the evening, the National Horse Show $50,000 Hunter Classic.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Kit McClorey – Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter

On High Tide:

“His barn name is Boden and his show name is High Tide. He is 10 years old now and this is his second year at The National. It is super exciting to be here and to have done so well! He is awesome and my trainer, Amanda Thomas, is awesome. She brought him along after finding him in a field and she took him to his first show. It has been a really fun process and a really fun experience. We love him to death!”

On her trips:

“He was a little nervous when we got here so Amanda did a lot of flat work with him. Then going in yesterday for the first trip he was definitely a little wide eyed but he rose to the occasion. I thought the courses rode nicely. I love the ring and I love the footing, it looks beautiful! They do such a nice job with the jumps. We had a couple of spots that it could have been a tricky lead change, but I am glad that all worked out. It was very fun and I think the show does a really nice job.”

On being Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter:

“To be honest, I am about to burst into tears! I can hardly believe it! This was never in my wildest dreams.”

On competing at the 2020 National Horse Show:

“It has been really nice. I have another AO horse that I did the 3’3” division on a few years ago and we came twice. This is Boden’s second year so I have been here four times and every year it has been really remarkable and beautifully run. I even like watching them change the course when there are like 75 people out there to strip the course down and rebuild! There are tractors flying around and they do such a nice job in making it efficient, pretty and so well run. I am excited to be here and excited with how today went.”

RESULTS

Place / Horse / Rider / Owner

The Rencourt Foundation Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 Stake

Champion: Oh Brother / Vanessa Mazzoli

Reserve: Denver HTF / Bonnie Ascher

1. Oh Brother / Vanessa Mazzoli / Vanessa Mazzoli

2. Cooperstown / Grace Webster / Grace Webster

3. Moonwalk / Kendall Meijer / Kendall Meijer

Oare & Adikes-Hill Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 Stake

Champion: High Tide / Indian Rock Farms, LLC

Reserve: Walk The Line / Lynn Seithel

1. Walk The Line / Lynn Seithel / Lynn Seithel

2. High Tide / Kit McClorey / Indian Rock Farms, LLC

3. My Turn / Stacy Wolf / Stacy Wolf

Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under

1. Cornell 22 / Kat Fuqua / Kat Fuqua

2. Consent / Kat Fuqua / Kat Fuqua

3. Cassano / Amanda Wildauer / Amanda Wildauer

Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under Handy

1. Heaven’s Dream / Augusta Iwasaki /

2. Cornell 22 / Kat Fuqua / Kat Fuqua

3. Consent / Kat Fuqua / Kat Fuqua

Small Junior Hunter 16-17

1. No Introduction / Christopher Coberly / Fox Meadow Farm

2. Custom Made / Hallie Grimes / Can We Keep It LLC

3. Aribo / Isha Swani / Shadowfax Equestrian LLC

Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Handy

1. No Introduction / Christopher Coberly / Fox Meadow Farm

2. Boccaccio / Natalie Jayne / Wolfstone Stables & Sales Inc

3. High Society / Libbi Gordon / Lindsay Maxwell

Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under

1. Grand Remo / Kat Fuqua / Kat Fuqua

2. *Cash* / Alexander Alston / Alston Alliance, LLC

3. Balousock BBS / Katarina Ammann / Katarina Ammann

Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under Handy

1. *Cash* / Alexander Alston / Alston Alliance, LLC

2. Grand Remo / Kat Fuqua / Kat Fuqua

3. Seaside / Augusta Iwasaki / Elizabeth Reilly

The Gochman Family Large Junior Hunter 16-17

1. Cosido / Jordan Ricker / Jordan Ricker

2. Snippet / Isha Swani / Shadowfax Equestrian LLC

3. Chevito / Sophia Mitchell / Sophia Mitchell

The Gochman Family Large Junior Hunter 16-17 Handy

1. Chevito / Sophia Mitchell / Sophia Mitchell

2. Frankly Stated / Hallie Grimes / Can We Keep It LLC

3. Snippet / Isha Swani / Shadowfax Equestrian LLC