Kent Farrington and Austria 2 Accelerate to Victory in $36,600 CWD Welcome Stake

Contenders went head-to-head Thursday in the $36,600 CWD Welcome Stake CSI3* for the final week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival at Flintfields Horse Park. A field of 71 entries from ten countries galloped through the first round, with the field whittled to representatives from only four nations in the jump-off. Consistently one of the best in the world and living up to his reputation, Kent Farrington captured the top honors on Austria 2, owned by Take the High Road LLC.

For the first pattern, course designer Manuel Esparza (MEX) provided a technical track, but the time limit ultimately caused more problems than the fences. The 71-second time-allowed proved to be a tough factor for a number of partnerships, with eight duos leaving all the rails in their cups but incurring a single time fault to keep them off of the jump-off list. In total, regardless of faults, 35 first-round contenders finished the track with three or fewer time faults to their name, making footspeed an important component for those aiming for the tie-breaker round.

Aboard Colour Your Day, Jordan Kilkenny (IRL) rode the first double-clear of the class in a time of 50.86 seconds to set the early pace. By the time Farrington entered the ring with Austria 2, the fastest jump-off was 38 seconds flat. Farrington never took his foot off the gas pedal as he and Austria 2 sliced around the ring with lightning efficiency, leaving all the rails in their cups in 37.31 seconds.

The remaining three tried to knock the leaders’ off their throne, but none could manage it, solidifying Farrington and Austria 2 as the day’s big victors. Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther were the final to go and gave a good run, but were just a hair off the pace with a final clear time of 37.83 seconds. Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Colestina H ultimately earned the final podium spot. Of the 17 teams that returned for the jump-off, 10 finished on double-clear results.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

On showing Austria 2:

“I thought [Kaprice] needed a little rest because she has been showing consistently and she jumped great in the grand prix last week. I knew the jump-off would be very fast so I thought I would rest her legs. [Austria 2] is a very experienced speed horse, so thought I would give it a shot on her. It worked out today! She has amazing ground speed, almost like a little race horse. That is really why she is exceptional in the sport. She crosses the ground so fast and you can do what you want to do, especially in a big ring like this.”

On one of his inside turns in the jump-off:

“I have a lot of confidence in this horse. As I was saying, she has a lot of experience so when you know a horse like that, you know what they are capable of and that was a place I knew I could really take a shot. I have had a few fast ones and [Austria 2] lives up to their reputation, as well.”

On competing at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival:

“Beautiful venue and great ground, which is what we always want in this sport. They also have very good course designers here and I think we are making the most of a very difficult time in the world. I am very happy to be competing and I have had some good luck, as well!”

Source: Phelps Media