Kent Farrington and Gazelle, 2018.
© RB Press/S.Rispai
The fourth edition of the Jumping International de Valence ended with one of the most beautiful outcomes possible. Amongst an exceptionally high-level list of riders, it was the ex-world number one and title-holder, Kent Farrington, who imposed himself in this difficult Grand Prix Hubside of the CSI5*.
“It’s honestly a course worthy of a World Cup Final!” said the riders as they were only discovering the arena. Indeed, Uliano Vezzani, here in Haras des Grillons, designed one of the hardest courses of the season, most likely to prepare the horses as well as the riders for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA), which will be held next month. Of the forty-seven riders starting in this Grand Prix Hubside, just thirteen of them managed to get qualified for the jump-off, including: Philippe Rozier, Henrik von Eckermann, Shane Breen, Martin Fuchs, Janika Sprunger, Robert Whitaker, Eric Lamaze, Manuel Fernandez Saro, Fredrik Jönsson, Cian O’Connor, Kent Farrington, Max Kühner, and even Simon Delestre. All fought bravely in this second round, and only four managed a double clear round.
The fastest was undoubtedly the winner of the 2017 edition, Kent Farrington. Riding his loyal Gazelle, he took all the risks to pull out and offer himself this victory, with a time of 43.85 seconds, a double win, two years in a row. “My advantage is that I know perfectly my mare, it has been years since we have been evolving together. Gazelle is really careful, she can gallop very fast and I can approach a vertical jump at full speed, she will always manage not to take one pole down. It’s an amazing show, the organisation is perfect. I am decided to come back next year, and why not attempt a third win!”. After being kept away from the high-level competitions for a year, Kent Farrington is now back on his feet with all his energy. His secret? “I took a few months of rest, then I practised, again and again. This is what allowed me to come back to my best self this fast,” he confessed.
The Swedish Henrik von Henckermann and Toveks Mary Lou climbed onto the second step of the podium with a time of 44.69 seconds. The couple, already in third position at the World Cup Final in Paris this year, proved once more it’s in good shape. They will certainly be one of the most frightening competitors during the World Equestrian Games. Martin Fuchs and Clooney finished in third position in 47.25 seconds.
The best French rider of this expected class was Simon Delestre, riding Chesall Zimequest, with whom he won this same Grand Prix two years before. This time, they both finished in sixth position, taking one pole down during the jump-off.
Jack Whitaker and Queen Elizabeth, 2018.
© RB Presse/S.Rispail
Young talents were also honoured during this day for the CSIU25 at the Haras des Grillons. In this 1.45m class with a jump-off, only three couples managed a first clear round: Inès Joly and Vitto de Cartherey, Romain Dreyfus and Tout Kom des Camphoux, as well as Jack Whitaker and Queen Elizabeth. If the young French, only twenty-four years old, won both previous classes of the CSIU25, on Thursday and Friday, he had to bow down to his British competitor in this class. Jack Whitaker, son of the legend Michael Whitaker, seized the first place, realising a clear jump-off in a record time of 37.21 seconds. “I preferred to let my mare rest yesterday. She was in great shape today and very competitive. She’s a true warrior, I knew I could count on her. It’s fantastic to win today!”
A few weeks before his seventeen birthday, Jack Whitaker once more saw his name in the headlines, just a month after his second place at the European Championship. A rider to follow in the future, who will certainly make a name for himself as part of the Whitaker dynasty.
The Jumping International de Valence is now listed as one of the most anticipated, high-level competitions around the globe and attracts the most exceptional riders with its well-managed organisation. The appointment is already made for the fifth edition in August 2019.
Find all the information on: www.jumpingvalence.com
Source: Event press release
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