Fort Worth, TX — Kent Farrington strengthened his hold on the 2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Friday night in Fort Worth, delivering a second consecutive winning performance, this time aboard Greya, to take command of the overall standings heading into Sunday’s final rounds.
In the second leg of the competition, a Table A class with jump-off, Farrington once again proved untouchable. Returning last in the order, he produced a fault-free jump-off round in 34.36 seconds, securing the win and placing himself in the strongest possible position going into the championship decider.
“I think I came with a faster horse tonight, so that made it easier,” Farrington said. “I just tried to do her normal round. I’m really thinking about Sunday, so I’m trying to measure her effort and my speed to put myself in the best position possible.”
After winning Thursday’s opening speed class with Toulayna, Farrington returned Friday with Greya, delivering exactly what was needed in a technical class that challenged much of the field. The 12-year-old mare showed both speed and composure when it counted, the result of time, experience, and a developing partnership. “That’s really the beauty of our sport,” Farrington shared. “Building a rapport with a horse through time and training. Sometimes they surprise you in what they can do.”
With two wins from the first two rounds, Farrington will enter Sunday on a score of zero penalties, holding the lead over Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, who sits second overall on four faults.
A Tight Fight Behind Him
Japan’s Eiken Sato came closest to challenging Farrington, holding the lead late in the class with a fast and clear jump-off round aboard Chadellano JRA before ultimately finishing second.
Sato, competing in his first World Cup Final, delivered one of the most competitive rounds of the night. “My horse is naturally quick, so I just tried to follow my plan and adjust the turns a little differently,” he explained.
On the podium at his first World Cup Finals, Sato was thrilled with how the night went. “My horse was jumping really, really good,” he said. “I cannot say anything bad. I’m very, very happy.”
France’s Kevin Staut rounded out the top three with Visconti du Telman. After watching several riders in the jump off before him have faults, including Steve Geurat and Katie Dinan, Staut opted for a more conservative approach for the 17-year-old-mare. “She’s jumping wonderful, but she’s not that fast,” he said. “So I just tried to do a normal round.”
Managing the Final Push
With no competition scheduled Saturday, riders now turn their attention to recovery and preparation ahead of Sunday’s two-round final. When asked how he will prepare on the off day, Farring shared that “Between now and Sunday, I’ll just let her have an easy day, stretch her legs, and save her energy,” he said. “Sunday is a new day and a new challenge.”
Farrington will enter Sunday on a score of zero, followed by Steve Guerdat on four faults and Kevin Staut on six, while both Eiken Sato and Daniel Deusser remain within striking distance on seven—leaving the title still very much in play over the final two rounds.
