Kent Farrington & Gazelle Victorious in the $375,000 ‘Pan American’ Cup at Spruce Meadows

Kent Farrington rode Gazelle (Kashmir van Shuttershof x Indoctro) to a thrilling win on Saturday, July 2nd in the $375,000 ‘Pan American’ Cup CSI5* presented by Rolex. Farrington is a perennial presence in prize giving ceremonies at Spruce Meadows, and the win today will result in the third consecutive year that his name is etched onto the ‘Pan American’ trophy. Ireland’s Conor Swail and Grafton (Calvaro x Vondeen) finished second, and USA’s Andrew Ramsay and California 62 (Cassini I x Galant Vert) placed third.

During the CSI5* ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows, Farrington saved his best for the highlight event. A total of 37 riders competed in round one of the Alan Wade-designed track, with just seven progressing into the jump off.

Andrew Ramsay was the first rider to jump double clear, setting the early time to beat of  37.59 seconds. Hot on his tail, Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt aboard the stallion LB Convall (Colman x Cascavelle) finished the short course in 37.71 seconds to land in 4th place. Mexico’s Patricio Pasquel produced a double-clear round, but a slower time had him finish in the 5th place position. 

The penultimate rider to challenge Ramsay’s time was Farrington, who set a new standard in the short track right off the bat, galloping the first three jumps perfectly in stride. The pair finished with a time 35.78 seconds—a time that not even the final rider, Conor Swail, could beat. While Swail and the ten-year-old stallion gave a valiant effort, they were just off the mark with a time of 36.17 seconds that earned 2nd place.

Today’s win for Farrington comes during a successful Spruce Meadow’s Summer Series with Gazelle. In June, Farrington piloted the mare to two wins during the CSI5* ‘National’ and another victory during the CSI5* ‘Continental’ Tournament. 

The now ten-year old Belgian Warmblood mare came under Farrington’s care at the age of seven, bought in partnership with Robin Parksy.

“I am very grateful that I have a super group of people behind my career—Robin Parsky being one of them,” Farrington said. “They are really passionate about show jumping and that is what all of us need today in order to compete at this level. I have taken my time bringing this horse up, and she has found her way at the higher level. I had her in Florida this winter, and she was struggling a little bit in the big grand prixs, so I dropped her down for a while and then brought her back up, and she seems to be finding her form.”

When asked about his tactics for the jump-off, Swail admitted that beating Kent’s time was the only thing on his mind. 

“I had to go as hard as I could following Kent,” he said. “Kent got one-to-two easier than I would have liked, and then he got seven strides around the corner and I got eight, so I was already behind and had to keep chasing. I did one stride less to the last, which I knew I could get [and] that no one else could. Unfortunately, that was not enough, but I am delighted. Kent is a great rider with a great horse. Being second to him, I will take that any day.”

Source: Noelle Floyd