The final week of sport at the 2024 Traverse City Horse Shows continued on Friday during the iconic American Gold Cup. A field of 33 that included five of the world’s top 25 athletes put forth their best efforts in the $181,170 Cabana Coast CSI5* Qualifier in hopes of setting the tone for Sunday’s action.
Taking to the Cedric Longis (FRA) designed track, nine riders advanced to the tie-breaking jump-off, but it was last week’s five-star winner, Kent Farrington (USA), who took top call. Aboard Toulayna, owned by Rabbit Root Stables, Farrington raced to a win as the last to go, shaving a half a second from the time to beat.
“Toulayna has been a winner her whole life, she’s always been a winner for me,” said Farrington of the mare by Toulon x Parco. “She’s naturally very fast so it’s all about managing her speed. Before heading into the ring, it’s about keeping her calm and having her focus on me and our task in the ring.”
Now looking ahead to Sunday’s coveted American Gold Cup, the 2016 and 2020 winner of the class, which that dates back more than 50 years, will take to the competition atop Greya.
“Sunday is a new day,” said Farrington. “I think it’ll be a hard track; we’ve got good riders here, so it’ll be tough competition.”
Setting Farrington’s time to beat as the penultimate rider over the short course, ultimately finishing second was USA’s Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean (Aldatus Z x Cruising), owned by North Star. The pair crossed the timers in a clear, competitive 37.92 seconds. Following in third was Erynn Ballard (CAN) aboard Ginger ASK (Casall x Levisto), owned by Marigold Sporthorses, finishing clear in 38.31 seconds.
Also a rider and owner of the KPF Major League Show Jumping team competing this week, Farrington is making the most of the top sport here in Traverse City. “The sport in North America has been getting better over the past few years,” stated Farrington. “You see some new faces here, some Europeans coming over, and a handful of riders that are in the top 20 in the world which raises the level for everyone.”
FEI jumper action will continue on Saturday with the CSI2* Grand Prix, as well as the $300,000 ClipMyHorse.TV CSI5* MLSJ Team Competition. For full results, click here.
Conor Swail and Gamble Hold Lasting Lead in $32,000 Storm RIdge Capital CSI2* Speed
A field of 53 riders took to the $32,000 Storm Ridge Capital CSI2* Speed on Friday morning in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring. Forty-six of those tried to catch the early time to beat, set by Irish rider Conor Swail and Gamble, owned by Asta Torokvei, yet Swail proved uncatchable.
Laying down a quick time of 62.19 seconds over the Cedric Longis (FRA) designed course, Swail relied on tight turns and precise angles to achieve his winning time.
“For jumps one, two, three there were very tight inside turns. Very few in the class took it on and that’s kind of his forte,” said Swail of Gamble, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Vingino x Indoctro. “He’s very good at seeing something late and executing the jump. We were using his strengths there.”
Coming closest to breaking the leading time was Ali Ramsay (CAN) and Duke of Doel (by Diarado), owned by Taliu Dejong, finishing on a clear in 63.25 seconds. Taking the third spot was USA’s Jacob Pope and Highway FBH (Plot Blue x Cornet Obolensky), owned by Pope and Sherri Crawford. The pair finished clear, crossing the timers at 64.75 seconds.
Swail and Gamble have been building up for win after jumping solid rounds during the second week of the Traverse City Tournament of Champions. “He was clear in the two-star qualifier with a time fault and then jumped a really good round in the grand prix last week, so he’d been coming into this week jumping well and the course suited him,” said Swail. “It was a lovely smooth round and I’m happy for him because he deserves a good placing.”
Swail and other qualifying riders from Friday’s class will now focus their efforts on Saturday’s $40,000 CSI2* Grand Prix. For full results, click here.
