New York, N.Y. – Sept. 22, 2017 – While winter boasts ice skating at Wollman Rink, the first day of fall saw show jumping take center stage once again with the $216,000 U.S. Open Grand Prix CSI3* and the $25,000 U.S. Open Hollow Creek Farm U25 Grand Prix at the fourth annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Twenty-seven riders challenged Rio Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge’s 1.50m track over 12 obstacles, but it was world number one Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance who flew to the fastest time in the jump-off. To top it all off, before the class began Farrington stated he would donate any earnings to the Direct Relief fund for hurricane victims, which just so happened to be the biggest share of $71,000.
Nine horses jumped clear in the first round to return for the jump-off, with four riders jumping double-clear and representing the USA in front of a sold-out stadium.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run´s Faustino De Tili
Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and the 12-year-old stallion Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili were the first pair to deliver a fault-free second round, finishing in third place after also earning third in Thursday night’s U.S. Open $40,000 FEI CSX Speed Class. They ran to a quick time of 37.70 seconds, setting the pace to beat for the rest of the pack.
Hardin Towell and Lucifer V
Hardin Towell (USA) and Evergate Stables LLC’s Lucifer V knew they had nothing to lose against Vanderveen’s speedy time and jumped ahead a fraction faster in 37.58 seconds to take over the lead. Towell was at the top of his game after claiming Thursday night’s victory in the U.S. Open $40,000 FEI CSX Speed Class. Finishing in a close second behind Farrington, Towell earned the title of the U.S. Open Leading Rider with Thursday and Friday’s combined finishes.
Farrington entered the ring to prove his world number one status aboard the 10-year-old gelding, making up time with his tight turns at the beginning of the course to take the lead in 37.46 seconds. Farrington and Creedance have had a successful year together winning a CSI5* grand prix at the Global Champions Tour in Miami and at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.
Jennifer Gates Claims $25,000 U.S. Open Hollow Creek Farm U25 Grand Prix
Jennifer Gates and Alex
The evening started and the sun set as13 riders brought forth their best efforts to New York City to challenge a competitive field in the $25,000 U.S. Open Hollow Creek Farm U25 Grand Prix, where Jennifer Gates (USA) claimed the win aboard Copernicus Stables LLC’s Alex.
Sydney Shulman and Curby du Seigneur
Second in the ring, Sydney Shulman (USA) and Hannah Patten’s Curby Du Seigneur were the first duo to deliver a clear round. Shulman had recent success with the 9-year-old gelding last weekend at the American Gold Cup and the Kentucky Summer Horse Show series. She put in a clear and speedy second round in a time of 28.08 seconds but was not quite quick enough to catch Gates.
Jordan Coyle and Chuckles
Ireland’s Jordan Coyle emerged towards the end of the order, just before Gates, and was the one to give the crowded stands the jump-off they were hoping for. Returning right in the middle of the order for the jump-off, Coyle rode Andrew Kocher’s Chuckles and delivered the fastest round in 26.98 seconds, but one unfortunate rail kept them from the top and they finished with 4 faults for third place.
The final ride in the jump-off, Gates and the 13-year-old gelding, delivered a clear round in a time of 27.14 seconds to beat out Shulman and take home top honors. In 2015, Gates won the $5,000 Junior/Amateur 1.20m Speed Class at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show.
Gates also rode in the $216,000 U.S. Open Grand Prix CSI3* later in the evening aboard Luftikus S, where she placed 13th after an unfortunate rail.
Saturday will highlight the hunters and eventers with the U.S. Open $50,000 Duchossois Cup and the U.S. Open $50,000 Arena Eventing, presented by the Fite Group Luxury Homes with the day’s events beginning at 1:30 p.m.
View the original article on Phelps Sports.