With one rider left in the initial round of the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5-Star Grand Prix — the grand finale of the horse show — it looked like Kent Farrington had the title locked down and there would be no jump-off. Farrington, the number-one rider in the world, and his horse, Greya, were the only pair to jump clear, finishing Nick Granat’s challenging 17-effort, 1.60-meter course in 79.34 seconds.
But McLain Ward, the number 12 in the world, and his horse, Lestro VD Valckenborg, had other ideas. As the winner of Friday’s $116,100 Douglas Elliman 5-Star Grand Prix Qualifier, Ward qualified for the Grand Prix and was the last to enter the ring. They cleared the course in an even faster 79.16, drawing wild applause from a crowd (including Robert De Niro, Michael Bloomberg, and Ramona Singer, an original member of “The Real Housewives”) that was all too eager to see the competition extended. It was a fitting performance for a horse with a name as regal as Lestro VD Valckenborg.
The all-American jump-off — both riders are from the United States — was equally thrilling, with Farrington and Ward clearing the course. But in the end, it was ladies first, with Greya edging out Lestro by less than a second, completing her final tour in 41.82 to his 42.56.
“It was too close for my comfort,” said Farrington, laughing. He had the unenviable position of riding first in the jump-off. “They are actually the most uncomfortable jump-offs to do because you’ve got a guy like him who can pull off something crazy, so it’s really deciding how much risk you want to take. If I go all out and I have one down, I hand him the win. If I don’t put enough pressure, he can take all the risk and beat me. So it’s really a measurement of how much risk to take.”
Ward, riding a much less experienced horse, was hardly disappointed with the outcome. “I’m thrilled with Lestro. He’s a young, up-and-coming horse. This was his biggest grand prix start of his career,” he said. “Less than a year ago, we were jumping 1.45 meters, so his progress and the way he performed was brilliant. I had nothing to lose in the jump-off in one way, but at the same time, my horse is a little less experienced. Unfortunately, I had a plan in a couple of places and he didn’t pick up on one less stride, which would’ve made it a little bit closer, but I’m thrilled to be second, and to be second to that combination, you can’t be too disappointed.”
For their efforts, Farrington and Greya received $120,000, a commemorative Longines watch, and a signature rosé from Wolffer Estate. Farrington also became one of just five riders to win the Grand Prix three times. His past victories were in 2012 and 2013.
Ward holds the record for Grand Prix victories with seven. For their second-place finish, he and Lestro were awarded $80,000. He also received a special medal from Alona Holzer, 7, who rides every Sunday at Lee Valley Riding Centre in London with her friends. In exchange, Ward presented her with his hat.
“I just really like his riding and the jumps,” she said. “I was excited that he got second. It was a medal from this party that we had.”
Christian Kukuk and Akarad Tivoli Z of Germany finished third, in their first-ever Hampton Classic. The duo was the fastest of the four-faulters in the initial round, finishing in 76.28 seconds and riding away with a $60,000 prize.
“I’m super happy with my performance here. I have to be honest, even if I would have jumped clear, I would’ve been sitting here in the same position. There would’ve been no chance for me. My horse, I’ve only had him for six months. He’s quite green on that level. It’s just his second 5-Star Grand Prix. We’re not so experienced in a jump-off like that. A huge congrats to Kent. He did a great job. It was fantastic sport today. I think the crowd was excited.”
With only two of the Grand Prix’s 31 horse-and-rider combinations clearing the highly technical course, some spectators hoped more riders would qualify for the jump-off and questioned the number of faults. But Granat said it was an appropriate test for a competition of this caliber.
“I had the triple early. I think that gave the horses some confidence,” he said. “I think the cream rose to the top, and I think some of the others, they learned from the experience and will be better for it.”
Ward agreed. “I think Nick set a difficult test today, very delicate. The best horse-rider combination in the world right now was the only other clear, and I found that quite motivating. It was setting up quite nice.”
Skylar Wireman, just 22 years old, was highest-placing female equestrian. She and her horse, Barclino B, finished fourth and went home with a $40,000 prize.
Last year’s Grand Prix winner, Jessica Mendoza, finished in sixth place this year. One of five four-faulters, she and In the Air finished their initial round in 80.11 seconds and won $20,000.
