Kent Farrington Flies to First in the $3,400,000 Longines Grand Prix CSIO 5*

By Jumper News on 1 01America/Sao_Paulo May 01America/Sao_Paulo 2023

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – April 30, 2023 – The CSIO 5* of Mexico concluded in grand fashion at Otomí Club Hípico on Sunday with yet another victory by an American as Kent Farrington (USA) and Landon lit up, flying to first in the MXN $3,400,000 Longines Grand Prix CSIO 5*.

The last class of the event was contested by 30 combinations in the first round but only one fiffth of them advanced mastered all the 1.60m obstacles set on the course designed by Benjamin Fernandez (MEX). The time allowed was not a major factor and the time allowed of 86 seconds was only exceeded by one combination. There were two eliminations and three participants chose to retire before completing the first round.

As the sixth to go in the order, and after having won the MXN $1,205,000 Conade Jump-off Challenge CSIO 5* two days earlier with the same mount and clinching the win in the MXN $5,060,000 Longines FEI Nations Cup™ of Mexico CSIO 5* for the United States, Laura Kraut (USA) was superb with Bisquetta again, showing other participants that the task could be done. Ignacio Maurin (ARG) and Chaquito PS entered the grass arena right after the American and their foot-perfect round guaranteed a jump-off.

The following 11 pairs had at least one pole down but the hopes of a Mexican win were kept alive when Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Contago crossed the finish line in flawless fashion. However, competition would be fierce, even more so after former world number and all-time great Kent Farrington (USA) and Landon joined the finalists. Farrington was joined by two other very experienced and fast riders in the tiebreker, Samuel Parot (CHI) on Chrystal Blue and Tiffany Foster (CAN) with Hamilton, buiding the climax for what would be thrilling decisive round.

Laura Kraut (USA) and Bisquetta were the pathfinders and Laura tried to put the pressure on the field, daring the mare to go fast. Unfortunately, they had the Longines Nations Cup oxer down and would be out of contention for a podium finish. Ignacio Maurin (ARG) chose a more conservative approach with Chaquito PS, setting the benchmark for the rest in 42.38 seconds, leaving much room for improvement.

**Eugenio Garza Perez** (MEX) & **Contago**

Mexican hearts were beating faster as Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Contago (Cornet Obolensky x Cassini II) rode onto the grass arena. Halfway through the round, they were over a half-second faster, making things even more exciting. The dynamic duo delivered a foot-perfect fast performance, taking over the lead in 38.87 seconds. The big question, would the mark stand against the last three very fast riders?

One of the favorites for sure, Kent Farrington (USA) and Landon were next. The American left a stride out early on in the course and just kept motoring aboard Haity McNerney`s 10-year-old chestnut Zangersheide gelding (Comilfo Plus Z x Quadrillo) to set what turned out to be the winning round in 38.32 seconds.

Samuel Parot (CHI) on Chrystal Blue (Chacco-Blue x Calvaro F.C.) gave the eventual winners a run for their money, matching their clean round but much slower, timed in 41.09 seconds.

Only one more left pair to go. Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Hamilton had the chance to seal the deal but their time of 41.82 seconds secured them a fourth-place finish.

In the end, it was Kent Farrington (USA) who flew to first with Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) finishing second and Samuel Parot (CHI) rounding out the top three.