Upper Marlboro, MD – Kent Farrington of Greenwich, Conn., thrilled the crowd at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md., as he rode a blistering track to edge out McLain Ward for the title in the $50,000 Ariat Congressional Cup Grand Prix, presented by Bruce and Matti Fein and The Lichfield Group. The grand prix was the highlight of the Capital Challenge Horse Show.
“I knew McLain would be the one to beat on Goldika,” said Farrington. “When he is fast he is very fast and that mare is very careful.”
Farrington and his mount, Madison, stopped the clock in 31.83, just 1.57 seconds faster than Ward and Goldika.
The World Cup qualifier offered up a challenging course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Palacios was able to narrow the field of 47 horses using maximum heights and spreads, which also matched the standards for a World Cup Qualifier.
Eight horses returned for the shortened course, which included galloping lines and extremely tight turns. Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Quervo Gold were the second to tackle the track and set the pace with a clean go in 35.11.
Ramiro Quintana returned behind Engle and left the rails in the cups, but was just off the pace with a 35.78-second finish. Ward returned fourth and set the bar higher as he hugged the turns and pressed Goldika across the ground. His time of 33.40 stood until Farrington returned.
Farrington, 25, turned on the ignition and never took his foot off the gas pedal as Madison’s power propelled him around the turns, and her speed left a stride out of the second line to a tall plank jump. The excitement built as Farrington galloped a rollback to a large oxer. It was there that Madison rooted with her head and pulled the one rein out of Farrington’s hand. As the mare landed, Farrington galloped and gathered his reins to prepare for the in and out. The horse and rider were able to organize and Madison flew over the final oxer with a winning time of 31.83.
“She doesn’t have a very good mouth and she is always flipping her head around. Right before the fence I went to turn back and she gave a good tug and pulled the rein right out of my hand,” said Farrington.
“I’m really happy. That horse really feels great,” said Farrington. “She came in and just did that one class – one for one. I’m looking forward to the indoor season.”
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