Ocala, Florida, USA – February 27, 2025 – A competitive field of Olympians and some of the world’s best riders gathered at the WEC Grand Arena on Thursday to vie for top honors in the $117,000 Marts Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 4*. Fresh off a string of five-star and four-star victories, Kent Farrington (USA) piloted his promising young partner, Grass de Mars (Windows Vh Costersveld x Dollar Dela Pierre) owned by Robinson Ridge, straight to the top of the leaderboard after an incredibly fast jump-off.
2024 Paris Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo (FRA), with assistance from Pieter Vitse (BEL), set an intricate track for the 39 horse-and-rider combinations. Thirteen managed to stay within the time allowed and deliver clear rounds, securing a spot in the jump-off. With top riders representing the United States, Ireland, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Germany and Argentina, the final showdown was set to be a fast one.
Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden (USA) was the first to return, setting an early benchmark with Nairobi in 36.78 seconds. Anna Dryden (USA) put in a strong effort aboard Christians Carado but encountered an unlucky rail, finishing in 43.03 seconds.
Simon McCarthy (IRL) entered next with one of his quickest partners, Gotcha (Stakkato x Cassini I) owned by Rock Ridge Farms. McCarthy guided the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare to an impressive round in 34.54 seconds to take over the lead.
Several riders came close to McCarthy’s time but couldn’t quite catch him. Philip McGuane (IRL) was the closest challenger, piloting Evergate Stables’ 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Orphea HQ (Emerald x Epleaser Van’t Heike) to a time of 35.61 seconds.
Farrington entered the arena with the same winning mindset aboard the talented young mare Grass de Mars, who is just coming off of a five-star ranking class win from last week. As the last to go, Farrington was able to watch a few rounds. “We were talking about how fast they would go between one and two, would someone do eight strides? Beezie went in first and did the eight, so that answered that question very quickly,” he laughed.
Farrington adjusted his lines to maximize efficiency, staying slightly wide and slicing the jumps to maintain momentum. “She’s very intuitive, she’s really following my riding, so when I want to break a line to the left or the right, she’s 100% with me, which is obviously a huge advantage. This one is a dream because she’s with you each and every step.”
The nine-year-old Selle Français mare was perfectly in tune with Farrington as they powered around the track, crossing the timers in an unbelievable 33.97 seconds to claim the win.
Reflecting on his partnership with the careful and quick mare, he shared, “She’s a very special horse. I got her at the end of her seven-year-old year with the Philippaerts, and then I had her in Florida as an eight-year-old. I bought them out and have the horse together with Katie Jacobs-Robinson. That’s a new partnership for us and obviously very exciting to have a horse like this.”
Final Results – $117,000 Marts Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 4*
1) Kent Farrington (USA) & Grass de Mars – 0 / 0 – 33.97
2) Simon McCarthy (IRL) & Gotcha – 0 / 0 – 34.54
3) Philip McGuane (IRL) & Orphea HQ – 0 / 0 – 35.61
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
