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<p>Kent Farrington has done what only Kent Farrington has ever done before. With victory in the $340,000 CSI5* Grand Prix of Greenwich aboard Toulayna, the world no. 1 secured his eighth five-star Grand Prix/World Cup triumph of 2025, matching the unprecedented tally he first set in 2017.</p>
<h2>History Repeats Itself, With a Twist</h2>
<p>In the modern era of show jumping, consistency at the very top is one of the sport&rsquo;s hardest currencies. Since 2010, no rider other than Farrington has managed to amass eight five-star Grand Prix or World Cup wins in a single calendar year. Martin Fuchs (2019) and McLain Ward (2010) came close, but only Farrington has scaled the summit. Twice.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ea454955-bc3b-41c8-b0b3-aed61501a437.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (21)"></p>
<p>This latest victory in Greenwich, achieved by just three-hundredths of a second over Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V., was the perfect snapshot of what makes Farrington unstoppable: speed, precision, and the nerve to execute under pressure.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Greya Joins the Legends</h2>
<p>It isn&rsquo;t just Farrington rewriting history this year, his superstar mare Greya is doing the same. With her latest Grand Prix win in Williamsburg, the 11-year-old Oldenburg (Colestus x Contender) captured her sixth five-star victory of 2025, matching the legendary record set by Gazelle in 2017. Remarkably, both mares have been guided to these milestone seasons by Farrington, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest championship managers of horses in modern show jumping. With history still unfolding, Greya&rsquo;s campaign could yet surpass Gazelle&rsquo;s benchmark and stand alone at the very top.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/204b935d-44bc-4581-ad1c-99937e60f2a6.png?width=1200&amp;height=600" alt="1"></p>
<h2>Rivalries and Records</h2>
<p>Farrington and Bluman have been locked in a season-long battle across Major League Show Jumping and beyond, trading blows in Toronto, Traverse City, and now Greenwich. While Bluman once again pushed him to the limit, Farrington&rsquo;s composure in the jump-off brought his season tally to an extraordinary eight wins.</p>
<p>Behind the stats lies a remarkable storyline: Farrington&rsquo;s triumphs have come aboard multiple horses, led by Greya, with whom he has taken 6 of those wins and Toulayna, the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare co-owned with Rabbit Root Stables. The mares&rsquo; blend of scope and speed has been the cornerstone of Farrington&rsquo;s dominance in 2025.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2f5016af-b017-4a7f-92b4-8eb6707474d8.png?width=1200&amp;height=600" alt="2"></p>
<h2>The Making of a Modern Legend</h2>
<p>What sets Farrington apart isn&rsquo;t just his ability to win, it&rsquo;s his ability to do it again, and again, across different arenas, continents, and lineups of the world&rsquo;s best. From Wellington to Traverse City, from Toronto to Greenwich, 2025 has been a masterclass in sustained brilliance.</p>
<p>Eight five-star Grand Prix victories in one year is a number most riders can scarcely imagine. For Kent Farrington, it is not just a record, it is a signature.</p>

Eight and Great: Kent Farrington Rewrites the Record Books

<h2>A Night to Remember in Saint-Tropez</h2>
<p>Under the lights in Saint-Tropez-Gassin, Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque delivered yet another masterclass. The track was big, technical, and built to test the very best, but the pair made it look effortless. Flying through the jump-off in 41.06 seconds as the last to go, they snatched the win from Brazil&rsquo;s Stephan de Freitas Barcha &amp; Dinozo Imperio Egipcio, with USA&rsquo;s Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta close behind in third.</p>
<h2>Entering the History Books&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Three consecutive five-star Grand Prix wins is something we rarely see. Since 2010, only 11 horse-and-rider combinations have ever pulled it off. Caracole is now the only horse to have done it twice and with two different riders. First with Julien Epaillard in 2022, and now with Karl Cook in 2025. That puts her alongside names like Explosion W, Gazelle, and Hickstead in the record books.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eb393637-c10f-43be-bc89-1fe3e8ddc197.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (19)"></p>
<h2>What&rsquo;s Next?</h2>
<p>Momentum is on their side, and the partnership looks unstoppable. The big question now: can Cook and Caracole push this streak even further? Fans will be watching closely as the season rolls on.</p>

Three in a Row for Cook & Caracole

<h2>A Season Like No Other</h2>
<p>Greya&rsquo;s rise to the top of the sport reached new heights in Traverse City, where she and Kent Farrington captured the North American leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup&trade;. The win marked her fifth five-star Grand Prix/World Cup triumph of the season, a feat that only a handful of horses have ever achieved.</p>
<h2>Following in Famous Footsteps</h2>
<p>Since 2010, just two horses have managed to win five or more five-star Grand Prix classes in a single year: Hello Sanctos (Scott Brash, 2014) and Gazelle (Kent Farrington, 2017). Both are legends of modern show jumping. Sanctos for aiding Scott Brash to become the first-ever winner of the Rolex Grand Slam, and Gazelle for her six-win record-setting season.</p>
<p>Now, remarkably, Farrington finds himself guiding another mare to the same level of greatness. With Greya, he has not only equalled his own history-making success, but set the stage for an extraordinary repeat of one of the sport&rsquo;s rarest achievements.</p>
<h2><br>The Numbers Behind the Wins</h2>
<p>Greya&rsquo;s five-star victories this year have come across three major American venues: Wellington, Lexington, and Traverse City. Winning twice in Wellington, once in Lexington, and twice again in Traverse City, she has shown she can dominate on different stages and under different pressures. Her 2025 campaign is a showcase of adaptability and consistency at the very highest level of the sport.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/02b2833a-4922-4f61-96e3-65a7bc0c856a.png?width=1240&amp;height=854" alt="Y Pg Tt Greya S 5 Five Star Grand Prix Wins in 2025 "></p>
<h2>Chasing Gazelle&rsquo;s Record</h2>
<p>The parallels with Gazelle&rsquo;s 2017 season are impossible to ignore. Then, Farrington and Gazelle achieved an unprecedented six Grand Prix wins in a single year, a record that still stands. With more than three months of the 2025 season remaining, Greya now has the chance to match or even surpass that milestone, making Farrington the only rider to guide two different horses into this rare territory.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/43dc9da0-b5bc-406a-bef2-cc2ec1746033.png?width=1200&amp;height=600" alt="1"></p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/072beb3a-3b22-4627-a4df-929eea6b2fb8.png?width=1200&amp;height=600" alt="2"></p>
<h2>A Legacy in the Making</h2>
<p>For Greya, 2025 already marks a career-defining season. But with the chance to chase down Gazelle&rsquo;s record, her story is still being written. What is certain is that she has joined an elite group of horses and that Kent Farrington&rsquo;s name, already etched in history, may soon be attached to not one but two of the greatest five-star campaigns the sport has ever seen.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Greya the Great: Five Wins and Chasing History

<p>It had been 897 days since Laura Kraut last claimed a five-star 1.60m Grand Prix win, a streak stretching back to her victory in Wellington in February 2023 with Baloutinue. In that time, Kraut had built an enviable record of consistency at the sport&rsquo;s highest level, recording 21 Top 10 finishes. But the top spot kept eluding her, including two second-place finishes in Rolex Majors earlier this season. That all changed in Dublin, where Kraut and Bisquetta produced the only clear round from a world-class field of 40 to win the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.</p>
<h2>Close Calls Along the Way</h2>
<p>The road back to the top was anything but quiet. Kraut came within touching distance of victory multiple times, including second place at both the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen with Baloutinue and the US Equestrian Open Final Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington with Bisquetta earlier this year. In each case, the margin was narrow, the performance strong, but the final second kept her off the top step.</p>
<h2><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e0b30130-07e1-4b60-b131-febfc59c0879.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (14)"></h2>
<h2><br>The Dublin Decider</h2>
<p>In the electric atmosphere of the RDS Main Arena, Ireland&rsquo;s Alan Wade had set a track that proved unforgiving. Clear rounds were nowhere to be found as the class progressed, with rails falling for Olympic champions, former winners, and rising stars alike. Then, as the penultimate combination, Kraut and Bisquetta entered the ring. With trademark poise and precision, they navigated the 14 obstacles without a fault to deliver the class&rsquo;s sole clear.</p>
<h2>Patience Rewarded</h2>
<p>&ldquo;The Dublin Horse Show is one of those bucket list events,&rdquo; Kraut said afterwards. &ldquo;Alan Wade built a course that was careful but fair, and you had to be perfect to go clear. Bisquetta was brilliant, very brave, very careful, and this year she&rsquo;s stepped up to another level.&rdquo;</p>
<p>For Kraut, this win was more than a victory, it was the culmination of patience, consistency, and readiness. After 897 days of chasing, she had proven once again why she remains one of the sport&rsquo;s greats.</p>

897 Days Later: Laura Kraut Returns to the Top in Dublin’s Rolex Grand Prix

<h2>The Breakthrough in Dinard</h2>
<p>Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 clinched their first CSI5* Grand Prix victory together last weekend, delivering a storming jump-off performance to top the Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard. It was a win that had it all: electric atmosphere, fierce competition, and a fearless final round that stopped the clock in 38.77 seconds, almost two full seconds ahead of the rest.</p>
<p>This moment marked their fourth international victory as a pair and their first at five-star 1.60m level. It came in their 33rd round together at this height, a stat that makes the win feel even more deserved and hard-earned.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3be125d5-a35e-4a4a-b05f-dbb0446afdd2.png?width=1006&amp;height=696" alt="J4n Rj Aaron Vale Carissimo 25 S International Victories"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A Power Pair in Red, White, and Blue</h2>
<p>This win is just the latest chapter in a growing legacy. Vale and Carissimo have worn the Team USA jacket in five-star Nations Cup competitions nine times to date, playing a pivotal role in two team victories: the Longines League of Nations in Ocala earlier this year and the Aga Khan Nations Cup in Dublin last year.</p>
<p>Their next stop? Back to Dublin, where they&rsquo;ll aim to defend that Nations Cup title. It&rsquo;s a venue they know well. Alongside last year&rsquo;s team win, the pair also stood on the podium in the Rolex Grand Prix of Dublin. With recent form peaking and that success still fresh in their minds, they look poised to make another deep run.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Could They Do the Double in Dublin?</h2>
<p>Momentum is everything in this sport and Vale and Carissimo are riding high. If their Dinard performance is any indication, they could be in serious contention for another Nations Cup win and possibly more in Dublin.</p>

Blazing to Glory: Vale and Carissimo 25 Capture Their First Five-Star Grand Prix Win

<p>The stage is set on the Atlantic coast as CSIO5* La Baule returns for another electrifying edition. With a &euro;500,000 prize fund and a field stacked with Olympic medalists, world champions, and rising phenoms, all eyes will be on one pair in particular: Kent Farrington and Greya. After making history with their breakout win here in 2024, the American duo returns to defend their title&mdash;this time as one of the most in-form combinations in the world. But with some of the sport&rsquo;s highest-rated talent also lining up, the road to a repeat will be anything but easy.</p>
<h2><br>All Eyes on Greya</h2>
<p>When Kent Farrington and Greya galloped across the finish line to win the 2024 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, they weren&rsquo;t just adding a prestigious title to their record &mdash; they were announcing Greya&rsquo;s arrival as one of the sport&rsquo;s modern greats. Now, as CSIO La Baule 2025 beckons, the pair return to the French coast with one goal in mind: defend their crown.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>From Breakthrough to Brilliance</h2>
<p>Their 2024 season was nothing short of transformative. From Wellington to Riyadh and then onto Europe, Greya consistently rose to each occasion. After finishing fourth in the five-star Grand Prix at WEF9, she traveled to the FEI World Cup Finals in Riyadh and narrowly missed a podium with another fourth-place finish. But it was in La Baule that her star truly exploded &mdash; outpacing Karl Cook and Caracole de La Roque in a thrilling jump-off to claim her first Rolex Grand Prix title.</p>
<p>The momentum only continued. Their season was capped by a World Cup win in Traverse City and a final Elo rating of 769, among the Top 10 highest ever achieved by a 10-year-old horse since 2010. Greya joined elite company including Olympic legends HH Azur, Big Star, and Explosion W.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Making History at Wellington</h2>
<p>2025 began with more history for Farrington and Greya. At the Winter Equestrian Festival, they became the first ever horse-and-rider combination to win two five-star Grand Prix classes in a single WEF season. Their victory in the $500,000 Lugano Grand Prix CSI5* in February marked their second five-star win in just three weeks.</p>
<p>Farrington praised Greya&rsquo;s "foot speed across the middle and her ability to sprint to the next fence," calling her &ldquo;a great modern show jumper.&rdquo; Her Elo rating climbed to 772 by March, making her the highest-rated U.S. horse and eighth in the world &mdash; a staggering feat for a still-young 11-year-old.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2025&rsquo;s Field of Stars: Who Can Stop Greya?</h2>
<p>This year&rsquo;s CSIO La Baule Grand Prix reads like a who&rsquo;s who of global show jumping, and the data backs it up. Here are the top-rated combinations expected to challenge Farrington and Greya for the title:</p>
<p><strong>Dynamix de Belheme &amp; Steve Guerdat (Elo 777)</strong><br>The reigning European Champion enters La Baule with the highest Elo rating in the field. Already a legend, Dynamix&rsquo;s blend of scope and experience makes her a serious threat.</p>
<p><strong>Ermitage Kalone &amp; Gilles Thomas (Elo 775)</strong><br>A powerful up-and-coming Belgian pair with an impressive trajectory. Their high CAS (Clear Against Standard) score suggests they often outperform course difficulty.</p>
<p><strong>Leone Jei &amp; Martin Fuchs (Elo 770)</strong><br>A stalwart on the Swiss team, Leone Jei consistently posts strong results. His huge stride and jump-off speed make him ideal for tight Rolex GP battles.</p>
<p><strong>Bond Jamesbond de Hay &amp; Gregory Wathelet (Elo 770)</strong><br>Last year&rsquo;s third-place finishers return with podium momentum. Known for calculated aggression, they&rsquo;ll be aiming for a cleaner, faster round this time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Legacy on the Line</h2>
<p>For Greya, this week is about more than another title. It&rsquo;s a chance to solidify her status among the greats. To go from a 10-year-old breakthrough in 2024 to a dominant force in 2025. To prove that her legacy &mdash; like HH Azur before her &mdash; is only just beginning.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

CSIO La Baule 2025: Greya Returns to Defend the Crown

<p>Piazza di Siena sets the stage for one of the most prestigious Grands Prix of the year. Ben Maher&rsquo;s Point Break meets Martin Fuchs&rsquo; Leone Jei, while last year&rsquo;s winner Karl Cook returns with Caracole de la Roque.</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/f02cb62a-fb74-4c0e-8693-e61f736ba84a.png?width=1518&amp;height=1518" alt="A2 Adq Win Chances Form Guide Sunday Copy  (1)"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>The Favourites</h1>
<h3>Point Break vs Leone Jei</h3>
<p>Two of the Top 10 Elo-rated horses in the world will go head-to-head in Sunday&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix of Rome. EquiRatings Predictive Analysis puts them as joint favourites for the win this afternoon allocating each a 12% chance at the win.</p>
<p><strong>Ben Maher&rsquo;s Point Break </strong>has had a fast ascent up the ratings in recent months with incredible performances and steady consistency at the highest level, highlighted by a runner-up finish at World Cup Finals in Basel last month. The 11-year-old stallion currently ranks as the second-highest rated horse in the world with an Elo rating of 789, second only behind the record-breaking King Edward (813). As Point Break competes in his 40th round at five-star 160 level today, he has maintained a superbly consistent record, staying clear 62% of the time. With this consistency and a World #2 rider on his back, many eyes will be drawn to this remarkable stallion.</p>
<p>One pair will not make it easy for them, however.<strong> Martin Fuchs &amp; Leone Jei </strong>already have 6 five-star Grand Prix victories on their record and are always hungry for more. The pair have jumped more than double the amount of five-star 160 rounds (81) in their career together than Ben Maher &amp; Point Break have, at a clear consistency of 52%. Fuchs&rsquo; white wonder currently ranks as the eighth highest-rated horse in the world on an Elo of 773.</p>
<h1><br>The Challengers</h1>
<h3>Can the US score the double?</h3>
<p>Fresh off Friday&rsquo;s Nations Cup victory, the US riders will likely be in full form for Sunday&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix. Title defenders,<strong> Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque,</strong> return with an 8% chance to add a second consecutive Rome Grand Prix title to their tally. The pair were a part of Sunday&rsquo;s Nations Cup team and produced a Round 2 clear to contribute to that victory. The pair has shown remarkable consistency throughout their partnership having maintained a five-star 160 clear rate together of 63%.</p>
<p>Cook &amp; Caracole will not be the only US pair to keep an eye on this afternoon. Olympic partnership, <strong>McLain Ward &amp; Ilex</strong>, are among the favourites to win with a 5% chance at victory, while we may not rule out Laura Kraut and her 11-year-old mare <strong>Bisquetta</strong>, who finished as runner-up in the US Equestrian Open Final, Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington last month.</p>
<h3><br>The hometown heroes</h3>
<p>Riding the high of their podium finish in Friday&rsquo;s Nations Cup, the Italian crowd will be backing their home riders for a win in Sunday&rsquo;s Grand Prix. One of their favourites will undoubtedly be <strong>Giulia Martinengo Marquet and Delta del&rsquo;Isle</strong>, who produced a beautiful Round 1 clear on Friday. With proven successes in the Rolex series, this pair will want to bring their best out on home soil today.&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Ones to Watch</h1>
<p>With a win chance of 8% on paper, <strong>Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman and Iron Dames Dubai du Cedre </strong>are among the favourites for the win in today&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix. Their relatively new partnership however has only seen them compete in 5 rounds at five-star 160 level together. Their first clear at this level came in Friday&rsquo;s Nations Cup here in Rome. If this pair has found their rhythm together, they could become a pair to beat.</p>

Can Team USA turn Friday’s Nations Cup win into a Rome double?

<p><br>As the eyes of the equestrian world turn to Lexington for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, elite show jumping takes center stage alongside it with the Kentucky International CSI5*. A glittering lineup of top international combinations will take to the Rolex Stadium with serious form and firepower.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e00837c3-cd95-4ca6-a5db-9bc560024884.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Usef Jumping Graphics 2025 (5)"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>U.S. Contenders: Formidable and On Fire</h1>
<h3>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya</h3>
<p>Kent Farrington enters with a double threat, and Greya is the queenpin of the field. Ranked No. 1 in the field with an Elo of 770, she is currently the top-rated U.S. horse and boasts 5 clears from her last 9 rounds at five-star 160 level. With two five-star Grand Prix wins already under her belt in 2025, both in Wellington, Greya brings both class and momentum.</p>
<h3><br>Kent Farrington &amp; Toulayna</h3>
<p>Farrington's second ride, Toulayna, is no sidekick. Ranked second in the field this week with an Elo of 764, she also sits within the Top 20 globally-rated horses. Her recent stats show 6 clears in her last 10 rounds at the top level &mdash; evidence of a mare on a serious upward trajectory.</p>
<h3><br>Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta</h3>
<p>Another heavy-hitter in red, white, and blue: Bisquetta, partnered with Olympic Team Silver medallist Laura Kraut, comes in ranked 7th in the field with an Elo of 739. They arrive with a flawless 100% clear round record over their last 10 international rounds at CSI4* &amp; 5* at 150cm and above. They also stood proudly on the podium U.S. Equestrian Open Jumping Final, Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington and they&rsquo;ll be out to add another five-star clear here in Lexington.</p>
<h1>&nbsp;</h1>
<h1>International Challengers: Chasing U.S. Supremacy</h1>
<h3>Christian Kukuk &amp; Just Be Gentle (GER)</h3>
<p>The reigning Olympic Champion brings fire to Lexington with Just Be Gentle, ranked 5th in the field on an Elo of 747. This pair helped Germany to the podium in Ocala&rsquo;s Longines League of Nations and also took top honours the Grand Prix there, proving their synergy is lethal at the top level.</p>
<h3><br>Darragh Kenny &amp; Eddy Blue (IRL)</h3>
<p>Ireland&rsquo;s Eddy Blue holds the title of highest-rated Irish horsewith an Elo of 755 and comes in with a consistent record: clear over fences in four consecutive five-star Grand Prix or World Cup first rounds, including a podium finish in Wellington. Kenny and Eddy are riding a quiet storm of consistency, just the kind of form that breaks through under the Saturday Night Lights.</p>
<h3><br>Conor Swail &amp; Casturano (IRL)</h3>
<p>If you want a horse made for Kentucky, look no further. Casturano and Conor Swail are the defending champions of this Grand Prix. &nbsp;As a matter of fact, Conor has never jumped a Grand Prix on Kentucky Horse Trials weekend without producing a clear round. With past wins in 2022 and 2024, and a podium in 2018, the Irish rider enters on serious venue form.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Ones to Watch</h1>
<p>The top 10 are stacked with familiar names, so watch out for stars like <strong>Shane Sweetnam &amp; James Kann Cruz</strong>, currently 6th in the field (Elo 745) with a 56% clear rate at five-star 160cm, and <strong>Lillie Keenan &amp; Argan De Beliard</strong>, coming off a high with their Top 3 finish in Wellington.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Final Thoughts</h1>
<p>With over 10 horses rated over 700 Elo, the Kentucky International CSI5* field boasts a competitive field. Between Farrington&rsquo;s powerhouse pair, Kukuk&rsquo;s winning form, and Swail&rsquo;s unmatched Kentucky record, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown in the Rolex Stadium. Whether it's a rising star making their mark or a seasoned name reclaiming the spotlight, the Kentucky International promises edge-of-your-seat action from start to finish.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

 CSI5* Kentucky International: The Stars Align in Lexington

<p>It&rsquo;s not often that a generational cohort emerges so clearly, but the United States has something brewing that should among their 11-year-old generation of showjumpers. A standout group of horses poised to shape the future of Team USA&mdash;and perhaps even the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028.</p>
<h2>A Generation Taking Shape</h2>
<p>There are six standout names in this class of 2014: Greya, Toulayna, Bisquetta, Out Of The Blue SCF, Gypsy Love, and Kick On. With a spread of riders that includes legends like Kent Farrington and Laura Kraut, and a new wave of talent like Katie Dinan, Alessandra Volpi, and Lillie Keenan, this group reflects both depth and balance in US show jumping.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4021fc29-faa5-4577-8fa9-63406af8e86d.png?width=1240&amp;height=1068" alt="W A4 Nn the 11 Year Old Generation of Us Horses"></p>
<blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t a flash of form. It&rsquo;s a foundation being laid for Olympic success.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Greya </strong>and <strong>Toulayna</strong>, both piloted by Kent Farrington, sit at the top of the list with Elo ratings of 770 and 764 respectively. These two have already delivered consistency and class at the top level and Greya sitting firmly among the Top 10 rated horses in the world currently. But the group doesn&rsquo;t stop there.</p>
<p><strong>Bisquetta</strong>, currently rated 739, has emerged as one of Laura Kraut&rsquo;s top prospects after a runner-up finish in the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington a couple of weeks ago, while Katie Dinan&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>Out Of The Blue SCF</strong> (722) was the only combination to jump double clear on the final day at World Cup Finals in Basel the following week.</p>
<p>Further down the list,&nbsp;<strong>Gipsy Love</strong> (Alessandra Volpi) and <strong>Kick On</strong> (Lillie Keenan) round out the top five with ratings of 710&mdash;after both having produced solid championships at World Cup Finals in Basel..</p>
<h2><br>Building Toward 2028</h2>
<p>It&rsquo;s early days, but the signs are promising. Each of these six combinations has already made an impact at five-star level, and their current Elo ratings reflect both performance and potential. There&rsquo;s also space for additional stars to emerge&mdash;the US system has shown its ability to integrate elite horses through ownership changes and smart management.</p>
<p>With a little over three years until LA, the groundwork is being laid now&mdash;and this generation is giving Team USA a reason to believe.</p>

The 11-Year-Old Generation: US Show Jumping’s Next Olympic Wave

<p>Christian Kukuk, who is coming off an incredible 2024 competition season with Checker 47, hoisted the US Equestrian Open trophy atop the podium in the inaugural US Equestrian Open Jumping Final, etching their names into history. Laura Kraut (USA) and Bisquetta finished as the highest-placed U.S. combination on the podium, earning second overall, while Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Donatello 141 rounded out the top three.</p>
<p>The beautiful course design by Guilherme Jorge (BRA) showcased the athleticism, scope, and smarts of the 40 qualified combinations, putting top sport on full display in the final major grand prix of the winter season at Wellington International. A total of 14 different nationalities were represented in the class list attesting to the range of international participation during the winter season in Florida.<br><br><strong><em>&ldquo;Checker and I have known each other for five years. We&rsquo;ve created a relationship full of success and disappointments." said Kukuk, "It&rsquo;s been two years now since I have learned every single one of his 'buttons' you could say.&nbsp;I know exactly what I can ask of him and what I cannot. He knows me, he trusts me, and we trust each other. To be consistent in this level of competition, it&rsquo;s all about creating a deep relationship with your horse.&rdquo;</em></strong><br><br>The class saw rails fall throughout the track, with combinations challenged by the technical precision demanded by the course design. Early in the order, Ashlee Bond (ISR) and her longtime partner, Donatello 141, earned the first clear round of the night, followed quickly by Carly Anthony (USA) and Heavenly W, who also notched a clear round within the first four rides of the class to guarantee an exciting jump-off right from the start of the evening.<br><br>The first half of the order saw some class favorites drop from contention with world number one-ranked Henrick Von Eckermann (SWE) and King Edward adding an early four faults, while U.S. talents Karl Cook (USA) and Caracole de la Roque just nudging&nbsp;out the B element of the Rolex triple combination late in the class to also add four to their score. Jordan Coyle (IRE) guided Chaccolino to a clear round as the thirteenth combination to test the track, followed shortly by Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) also pushing his name forward into the jump-off with his Paris Olympic mount, Major Tom.<br><br><em><strong>&ldquo;To have the quality of riders we have now &ndash; Olympic champions, world champions, world number one - and to draw the crowds we have,&nbsp;it just shows this sport is a spectator sport and there are fans that want to be a part of this,&rdquo; said Michael Stone, President of Wellington International. &ldquo;</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>"To see the kids get so excited to get autographs and photographs with athletes like Laura [Kraut] and Christian [Kukuk] is special. It&rsquo;s so important that we bring the sport to everyone. We want to help in growing the sport and this event has set an incredible mark for how we can do that and the kind of people and passion we can get behind it.&rdquo;</strong></em><br><br>Following the ring maintenance break halfway through the class, U.S. veteran Laura Kraut stamped her mark aboard the quick and feisty Bisquetta, producing a fast clear ensuring two U.S. combinations would move forward to the jump-off. Just on the foot of Kraut&rsquo;s clear, Bertram Allen (IRL) and Qonquest de Rigo, produced another efficient effort, bringing the jump-off total to six&nbsp;combinations.<br><br><em><strong>&ldquo;I have to say the crowd here has been amazing all season, but tonight was just extra electric,&rdquo; said Kraut. &ldquo;When we did the autograph signing after the awards, I was thanking everyone &ndash; they were just the best fans tonight. We all felt it and it&rsquo;s fantastic show jumping. Gui [Jorge] did an incredible job with this course and there were just tremendous combinations out here tonight. This was really a highlight class for all of us.&rdquo;</strong></em><br><br>The second half of the class proved to challenge many of the seasoned favorites coming later in the order with McLain Ward (USA), Kent Farrington (USA), and Ben Maher (GBR) all finishing with a heartbreaking four faults in the first round.<br><br>After a drought of clears midway through the order, Olympic individual gold medalists Christian Kukuk (GER) and trusted partner Checker 47, also the winners of last year&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix in Wellington, produced a valiant and impressive clear&nbsp;as they looked to match McLain Ward as the only other athlete&nbsp;in history to win the class twice. The final pair to move on to the jump-off came with a spectacular round from Daniel Coyle (IRL) and his Paris 2024 mount, Legacy, pushing the second round to a total of eight combinations to return for the fast track.<br><br>In the jump-off, Bond and Donatello 141, a 2011 Westphalian gelding (Diarado x Lamoureux I) owned by Ashlee Bond Show Jumpers, LLC, and cared for by Zoe Hatgi, set a fast pace as the first combination out of the gates, crossing through the timers in 40.41 seconds. Anthony and Heavenly W, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Quidam de Revel) owned by Portfolio Horses LLC, and cared for by Pauline Homer, hit heartbreak in their course, as they were matched with Bond up until the last fence, when the pair encountered a miscommunication at the final oxer and ultimately needed to reapproach.<br><br>As the first Irish combination back for the jump-off, Coyle and Chaccolino, a 2011 Australian Warmblood gelding (Chacco Blue x Heartbreaker) owned by Elan Farm &amp; Jordan Coyle, and cared for by Jorge Jimenez, rode tight to Bond&rsquo;s pace-setting performance, but finished just three-hundredths of a second behind, crossing through the timers in 40.44 seconds to move into second.<br><br>In the last opportunity for a U.S. combination to take the win, crowd-favorite Laura Kraut and Bisquetta, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Bisquet Balou C x Takashi van Berkenbroek) owned by Cherry Knoll Farm Inc. and cared for by Margo Thomas, gave their all, with Bisquetta showing off her determination and fight, marking the fastest time yet and dashing through the finish in 39.49 seconds. Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo, a 2016 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Fantomas de Muze x Indoctro) owned by Ballywater Stables LTD, and cared for by Lovisa Munter, had an early rail in their jump-off, but finished as the fastest four-fault combination to take fifth overall.<br><br>Christian Kukuk and Checker 47, a 2010 Westphalian gelding (Comme Il Faut 5 x Come On) owned by M.H. &amp; Partner Gbr, and cared for by Sofie Karlsson, showed the depth of their incredible partnership together. The pair put on a masterful navigation of the short track to just nudge Kraut from the top of the leaderboard and stopping the timers in 39.2 seconds, earning them the win. Daniel Coyle and Legacy, a 2010 Zangersheide mare (Chippendale Z x Bon Ami) owned by Ariel Grange and cared for by Sue Braund, set out at a quick pace, but ultimately added 12 to their score to finish in eighth overall.<br><br><em><strong>"It is a pleasure to ride Checker. There is something special between him and this arena. Every time I come into the ring with him, I get the feeling that he has an extra gear, he feels so comfortable here [in Wellington.] Sophia takes care of him every day &ndash; she and Checker have such a great relationship &ndash; and all this combined has made me the happiest man on the planet tonight.&rdquo;</strong></em><br><br>Kukuk also noted that he and his wife, Veronica, welcomed their first child, a daughter named, Lila, into the world in the early morning hours of Saturday before the class, which is a moment that will memorialize this victory. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m really happy about the win today, but what happened this morning was a little more special. All of it together made this day something I will never forget.&rdquo;<br><br>Learn more about the US Equestrian Open by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://usef-website-gold.vercel.app/">US Equestrian Open microsite, powered by EquiRatings,</a>&nbsp;to follow all of the qualifying and story-telling action throughout the year.<br><br>The US Equestrian Open Jumping Final is the first of the three finals to be hosted as part of the new innovative US Equestrian Open Series. The next final will be the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final hosted at Morven Park International in Leesburg, Va. from October 9-12, followed by the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final to be hosted at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif., from November 13-16. 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Rolex US Equestrian Open of Jumping