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A year ago, Kent Farrington won the inaugural Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Traverse City with Greya and described his horse as being at "the very start of her career." Fast forward twelve months, and this partnership has evolved into something truly special—championship-level special.

Farrington and the fabulous 11-year-old mare defended their title Sunday in Traverse City to kick off the 2025/2026 North American League season. While the result was the same, the win was more professional.

Guilherme Jorge's 1.60m course at Flintfields Horse Park proved to be perfectly pitched—technical enough to separate the field but fair to those with the skill to handle it. Seven combinations mastered the first round to advance to the jump-off, setting up exactly the kind of high-pressure finale you want for a World Cup opener.

Going third in the seven-horse tie-breaker, Farrington had the tactical advantage of seeing Spencer Smith and Keeneland lay down a brilliant benchmark of 41.00 seconds clear. But when you're the defending world number one riding a mare who's already won four other 5* Grand Prix this season, you take that information and use it.

That newfound confidence was on full display as they attacked Jorge's shortened track, flying through the timers fault-free in 39.45 seconds. It was vintage Farrington—calculated aggression that left just enough margin for error while still being fast enough to be unbeatable.

The drama wasn't over. Last to go, Karl Cook aboard Foxy de la Roque was actually faster through the timers at 39.40 seconds, but two rails dropped him to fifth and secured the victory for Farrington. Cook's round perfectly illustrated the fine line between championship glory and disappointment—sometimes the win-or-bust strategy just misses its mark.

$340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Traverse City Podium:

The all-American podium was a strong statement for the host nation at the start of the NAL season, with Farrington now holding a commanding early lead in the race to Fort Worth.

This victory marked Farrington and Greya's fifth 5* Grand Prix win of 2025—a remarkable achievement that puts them in the conversation for one of the partnerships of the year. More importantly, it demonstrated that this isn't just a talented horse having a good season; this is a championship-caliber combination hitting their peak at exactly the right time.

The week wasn't just about Sunday's main event. Farrington's strategic planning throughout the competition showed the depth of his program. While other riders competed their Grand Prix horses in multiple classes, Farrington kept Greya fresh specifically for the World Cup, a decision that clearly paid dividends.

The supporting cast around the main event was equally compelling. Karl Cook's earlier win in Saturday's $62,500 Mercantile Bank Winning Round with the 15-year-old Kalinka van't Zorgvliet provided the week's most emotional moment. This was only the mare's second international competition since suffering a fractured hip in spring 2024, making her presence in the winner's circle a testament to both equine resilience and masterful horsemanship.

While Farrington was dominating in Michigan, an equally compelling story was unfolding on German soil—one that began not with the riders, but with the architects of the challenge. Frank Rothenberger and Peter Schumacher presented a 1.60m course that was both formidable and fair, ultimately separating the world's best with surgical precision.

The statistics tell the story: from a starting field populated by the planet's elite combinations, only six managed to produce a clear first round. This wasn't a case of over-facing the horses—it was a masterful examination that demanded nothing short of perfection. The 535-meter track with 17 jumping efforts had to be completed within a stringent 86 seconds, creating a relentless pressure cooker that caught out even seasoned champions.

The casualty list was shocking. Former World number one Henrik von Eckermann, Katrin Eckermann, and Andreas Schou all elected to retire mid-round rather than risk further damage on a course that showed no mercy. Belgium's Annelies Vorsselmans came agonizingly close to the jump-off, navigating every fence flawlessly only to cross the finish line with two time faults—a heartbreaking reminder of how tight the margins are at this level.

Even home favorite Christian Kukuk, who looked poised for glory, saw his hopes dashed at the final fence. When horses and riders of this caliber are making uncharacteristic errors, you know the course designers have hit their mark perfectly.

With the field narrowed to six, the stage was set for a high-speed duel that delivered drama worthy of the setting. Harrie Smolders entered first aboard the formidable Bingo du Parc, chasing his third LGCT Grand Prix win of the season. The Dutch master delivered exactly what you'd expect—a masterclass in efficient, precise riding that set a blistering benchmark of 48.78 seconds.

Next in was 23-year-old British talent Jack Whitaker on Jack JL. Riding with the confidence of youth and feeding off the packed grandstands, Whitaker produced a stylish clear round in 49.66 seconds. Fast, but not quite fast enough to dethrone Smolders.

Then came the moment the home crowd had been waiting for. Gerrit Nieberg entered the ring aboard Ping Pong van de Lentamel, and from the very first stride, something special was happening. He was already over a second up on Smolders' pace at the halfway mark, galloping with calculated aggression that had the arena on its feet.

When the clock flashed 46.99 seconds, the eruption was seismic. Nieberg had obliterated the previous best time by nearly two full seconds.

The drama wasn't over. Austria's Max Kühner, the reigning LGCT Champion, entered aboard EIC Cooley Jump the Q with every intention of securing his golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix. What followed was both brilliant and heartbreaking. Kühner was actually faster than Nieberg through the timers—46.56 seconds—but a late rail turned what would have been victory into fifth place. It was a stark illustration of the risks required to win at this level.

Last to go was the decorated Peder Fredricson with Alcapone des Carmille. The Swedish champion gave it everything, executing the tightest of turns and flying to the final fence. His flawless clear round in 48.17 seconds was good enough for second place but left Nieberg to celebrate a famous victory.

As the German national anthem rang out through the packed stadium, the emotion was palpable. For 32-year-old Gerrit Nieberg, this was a career-defining moment secured 45 minutes from his hometown, surrounded by family and friends.

The victory was particularly remarkable given Ping Pong van de Lentamel's limited experience—this was only the 10-year-old's fourth 5* event. Nieberg's patient development of the partnership is paying off spectacularly, with all four of his 5* Grand Prix victories now coming on German soil.

Second-placed Fredricson was quick to praise the winner: "Gerrit is a truly fantastic rider. I think he really brings out the best of the horses he rides and I'm really happy for his win today."

€325,000 LGCT Grand Prix of Riesenbeck Podium:

LGCT Championship Standings (Top 5):

Saturday's GCL team competition provided its own brand of drama, with the Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team claiming victory through a perfect blend of strategy and execution.

Currently ranked 10th in the overall season standings, the Warriors aren't in contention for the GCL Championship title. Instead, their approach appears focused on targeting specific events for victory—and Riesenbeck was clearly one of those targets.

The team of Simon Delestre, Henrik von Eckermann, and Hasan Senturk finished Round 1 with eight faults but delivered flawless performances when it mattered most. Both Delestre and von Eckermann produced brilliant clear rounds in the second round under pressure, securing a final team score of eight faults with a combined time over 10 seconds faster than their nearest rivals.

For von Eckermann, the victory held special significance as a "homecoming" to the venue where he spent 13 years of his career.

The Warriors' targeted approach to the GCL season—focusing on knockout victories rather than consistent point accumulation—makes them a dangerous proposition for any opponent in the Prague playoffs.

GCL Riesenbeck Team Podium:

GCL Championship Standings (Top 5):

The first week of the September Horse Shows at Old Salem Farm became a showcase for American talent, with riders from the United States claiming victory in every major FEI class.

Saturday's $200,000 Blue Diamond Cup provided the week's biggest drama. Only five combinations reached the jump-off from Alan Wade's challenging 1.60m track, and all five delivered clear rounds, turning it into a pure race against the clock. Adrienne Sternlicht and Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland saved the best for last, flying through the shortened course in 39.11 seconds to edge out Marilyn Little and La Contessa (39.85s) by less than a second.

"Going last is always a big advantage," Sternlicht said. "Marilyn is always so fast, so I said, 'Any day that I can beat Marilyn and La Contessa is a good day.'"

$200,000 Blue Diamond Cup Podium:

The American success extended throughout the week. Mia Bagnato dominated Friday's $37,000 Speed Stake, posting the only time under 60 seconds with Florida N (57.99s)—nearly four seconds faster than her closest competitor. Nayel Nassar kicked off the FEI action Wednesday with victory in the Two-Phase aboard his specialist Dorado de Riverland.

The CSI4* Ascona on the shores of Lake Maggiore told a similar story of national dominance, with Swiss riders consistently populating the podiums throughout the week.

Sunday's 1.55m Grand Prix provided the perfect climax. Barbara Schnieper delivered a masterful performance aboard the 9-year-old Licolle, flying through the three-horse jump-off in 42.86 seconds to edge Brazil's João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes De Lima by just 0.12 seconds—one of the closest finishes of the week.

1.55m Grand Prix Podium:

Current world number 27 Martin Fuchs added to the Swiss success with victory in Saturday's 1.50m class aboard L&L Lorde. The depth of Swiss talent was remarkable, with multiple generations represented from established stars like Fuchs to rising talents consistently filling the top placings across all classes.

The inaugural CSI3* Playa Del Carmen delivered on its promise of high-level sport in the stunning Riviera Maya setting. Argentina's Maurin Ignacio claimed the feature Grand Prix aboard Chaquitos PS, producing the only clear round in the 1.50m championship class to take a decisive victory.

Ignacio's flawless performance in 85.19 seconds held off a strong challenge from Mexican riders on home soil. Nicolas Pizarro finished both second and third, piloting Gannin to 4 faults in 80.11 seconds and Farino Du Guinefort to 4 faults in 83.74 seconds, demonstrating impressive consistency across multiple horses.

The competition showcased the growing strength of Mexican showjumping, with multiple home riders featuring prominently in the results. Francisco Lomelin secured both sixth and eleventh places with different mounts, while Xaviera Maurer Buch claimed fourth and fifth aboard Davinci and Chactensky PS respectively.

CSI3 Playa Del Carmen Grand Prix Podium:

The showjumping community received bittersweet news this week with the announcement that Figor, the accomplished 15-year-old partner of Canadian star Tiffany Foster, has retired from the sport following an injury. The Dutch Warmblood gelding was instrumental in securing team silver for Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games and proudly represented the maple leaf at both the 2022 World Championships and 2024 Olympics.

Figor's retirement creates a significant void in Team Canada's championship horsepower as they build toward future major championships.

Next week delivers one of the most action-packed schedules of the season, with an exceptional convergence of three 5* events across Europe and North America:

🇫🇷 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSIO5 Gassin - St. Tropez (France, September 17-21)

The stunning French Riviera hosts a crucial leg of the new Longines League of Nations™, featuring a massive €700,000 team competition and €308,600 Grand Prix.

🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI5 LGCT New York (USA, September 18-21)

The Longines Global Champions Tour makes its highly anticipated stop in Liberty State Park with the Manhattan skyline as backdrop—a critical leg for the LGCT championship race.

🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI5 Traverse City (USA, September 19-21)

The Tournament of Champions continues with the $340,000 American Gold Cup, one of North America's most prestigious titles.

🇲🇦 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI4-W Tetouan (Morocco, September 18-21)

🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI3 North Salem (USA, September 16-21)

🇲🇽 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI3 Puebla (Mexico, September 16-21)

This week gets an 8.2/10 for exceptional variety and compelling storylines. Two world-class 5* events delivered everything we could ask for—Farrington and Greya's continued dominance showing championship-level consistency, Nieberg's emotional breakthrough providing the fairytale we all needed, and strong supporting narratives from comeback stories to strategic team victories. The simultaneous high-quality sport across two continents showcased the global strength of our sport at its finest.

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