Kent Farrington and Creedance Power to Success in $75,000 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Grand Prix CSI2*

The final day of the CSI2* week of the 50th American Gold Cup brought 66 decorated horse-and-rider pairs to centerstage Sunday to contest the $75,000 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Grand Prix CSI 2*, presented by Agero. Normally held in Massachusetts, the class made its debut in Traverse City as the 2020 host of the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, a welcome addition to the first-ever two-week American Gold Cup CSI2* & 4*. Representing 13 nations, the diverse pack of starters put on a good show, with the elite contenders whittled down to 11 for the jump-off. Always a threat in the show ring, Kent Farrington sliced Haity NcNerney’s Creedance to victory as the most efficient of seven double-clear duos.

Course designer Nick Granat (USA) crafted a track fit for the occasion, which saw a top-tier number of combinations successfully finish the pattern within the time-allowed and without lowering any rails. 

Reduced down to the top contestants, the abridged jump-off course featured a series of rollbacks and long galloping straightaways that offered returning partnerships a chance to turn in blazing times. First to go and the first double-clear of the class, Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) and Adamo laid down the gauntlet once more with a quick ride in 35.60 seconds, but their lead only lasted two rides as Farrington and Creedance entered the International Ring for their turn. Proving why they are one of the most successful partnerships in the sport, Farrington and the 13-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lord Z x Notaris) careened around the course with precision and speed, ultimately tripping the timers in 34.88 seconds to claim the lead. Try as they might, none of the subsequent challengers could best the duo’s swift time, solidifying Farrington and Creedance as the day’s big victors.

Shane Sweetnam (IRL) jumped to the reserve honors in the irons aboard Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, while Beezie Madden (USA) and Chic Hin D’Hyrencourt rounded out the podium to make for an impressive group of top-three finishers.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

On Creedance:

“Creedance is an exceptional horse. He’s just a real winner. He wins year in and year out. You really saw his heart today in the jump-off. I turned very short to number two and he basically jumped it from a standstill. He is such an amazing horse, he can win anyway. I think he is an incredible athlete and I am very proud of him today.”

On his win:

“It was a great win today and I’m happy to be a part of that list. The trophy is about the same size as me so I’m using all of my strength here to hold it up! I’m glad to leave with a win today.”

On the jump-off:

“From one to two I planned to operate medium speed and to keep rolling through my turn, to never break my rhythm through the vertical so I could get the five strides in the line. [The footing slipped] at fence two so I had to jump it from a standstill. Like I said, Creedence is an incredible athlete to jump it like that at that kind of distance. I did the six strides because I thought the five strides was totally out of bounds, then after that I thought I would let him run, and that’s his natural speed. I just took all of the last fences out of stride. The last one was an option in six or seven strides, but for me it was seven. His ground speed is so fast that leaving one out is not a necessary risk, so we did seven strides there and got away with the win.”

On the class:

“In difficult times you are seeing great riders here, and I think it’s great for the area and great for the sport. I thought it was an exceptional course today because it had a real big-level feel but it wasn’t at full size, and I think that’s why there weren’t so many clear. Nick Granat did an amazing job with the courses today and it showed with the field of top riders in the results.”

Source: Phelps Media Press Release