Farrington continued to make his 8-year-old Oldenburg mare’s FEI debut one to remember with their decisive win in the $32,000 Classic on Thursday. As the last pair to return for the jump-off, they rode under some of the day’s hardest rainfall, but that didn’t stop them from clinching victory in a faultless 38.13 seconds – 1.75 seconds faster than second-place finisher Amanda Derbyshire (GBR).

“I’m just trying to train this horse and produce her along,” Farrington said. “It’s a totally different style of horse that has a huge stride, so I’m trying to teach her to look for the next fence and use her stride to her advantage. Really, today was more about what I felt was best to teach this horse how to compete. [Two wins in two FEI classes] is a great start, you know? She’s only 8, she’s still quite green, but she’s stepping up the ranks nicely.

“I really am glad that they’re putting on great shows here,” he added. “I hope that they can continue to do that and maybe even add some more. As I said yesterday, there’s such a community of horse people who support these events, and a day like today helps you see why they have all-weather footing here. This facility is great for allowing us to compete even if there’s a little rain, and I’m very happy to be here.”

Derbyshire’s speedy time of 39.88 seconds aboard her 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding Cornwall BH hung on for second place ahead of Carly Anthony (USA) and Las Vegas, Rosalie Midyette’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, who finished third in 41.04 seconds.