03 February '25
Kent Farrington and Toulayna win World Cup at Thermal
©High Desert Sport Photo
American rider Kent Farrington and his top mare Toulayna are in blood form at the moment and that was highlighted yet again last weekend! Two weeks after their resounding victory in the CSI4* Grand Prix of Ocala, the successful duo appeared at the Desert International Horse Park of Thermal last weekend, where they became the stars of the night with a win in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup on Saturday!
With Thermal's World Cup competition last weekend, they were up to the 5th leg in the North American League, so this was yet another juggernaut for Kent Farrington and his 11-year-old mare Toulayna, a daughter of Toulon and Parco who was born Toulayna van het Bloesemhof Z to her Belgian breeder Jasper Doucé. Farrington and Toulayna were one of seven combinations that managed to stay clear in track rider Alan Wade's spirited basic round, securing a spot for the decisive jump-off. In that, they were the first combination to reappear in the ring and with a dazzling round in 32.33 seconds, they managed to outclass the competition again this time.
Kent Farrington: "Toulayna is naturally a fast horse, which is a big advantage in our sport today. If you naturally have a horse that already wants to be fast, then as a rider it is much easier to do less and just let her do her thing. She has been an incredible winner her whole career and has won several Grand Prix. She is super competitive and very careful in the process. So she is a joy to ride and I am so happy to have her on my team."
In addition to Kent Farrington and Toulayna's victory, compatriot Laura Kraut also managed to qualify for the jump-off with the 11-year-old mare Bisquetta, a daughter of Bisquet Balou van de Mispelaere and Takashi Van Berkenbroeck who was named Bisquetta Squalls Estate Z at birth. Kraut and the Claire McCarthy-Winters-bred product also managed a nice chrono time in 34.65 seconds, but a mistake on the way unfortunately kept them off the podium and made them settle for 4th place.
Most of the attention over the past few days has of course gone to the five-star competition, but in addition to that, Thermal also jumped at two-star level. In the CSI2* Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon, Austrian rider Peter Petschenig managed to secure a top ranking with the 9-year-old stallion Dyon STG Z, a son of De Flor 111 Z and Chatman from the breeding farm of Sofie Hazebroek. Petschenig and Dyon STG Z, also good for 3rd place in the 1.40m class on Wednesday, nicely kept all the rails in the basic round, but a 1 penalty point for time unfortunately kept them out of the jump-off and made them settle for 5th place.