Fort Worth, Texas – April 09, 2026 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Toulayna rose to the top of the class on the first day of competition at the 2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final Fort Worth, starting the week off demonstrating their remarkable prowess, and stopping the timers in 62.03 seconds to best the class of 35 international entries. The full U.S. contingent capped a strong first day of the individual final, with four combinations finishing inside of the top six.

“My strategy was really to stick to my own plan and execute on what I thought would work best for my horse. She’s naturally fast, so as you said, trying not to beat myself and put in a solid round,” said Farrington of his round on day one. “Happy to win, of course, thrilled with that, but it wasn’t necessarily my plan to try to have the fastest time. I just did what I thought could be competitive round without taking all the risk and luckily, that was enough for the win today.

Aboard his impressive mount, Toulayna, a 2014 Zangersheide mare (Toulon x Parco) owned by Kent Farrington and Rabbit Root Stables, and cared for by Denise Moriarty, the pair made quick work of the course, designed by Anderson Lima (BRA), which set the tone early for the remainder of the class, and could not be beat. Of their round, Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) noted the course really suited the quick-footed mare, and her ability to consistently rise to the occasion makes her a true stand out in his string of stars.

“Toulayna is a great horse I have together with Rabbit Root Farm. We’ve had her since she was seven, so it’s been a great partnership we’ve built over time,” added Farrington of his mount Toulayna. “She’s been a very reliable partner for my team, as you see today, and she’ll gets to rest now, and Greya is going to take over some work. As Steve said, there’s a lot more to do, but lucky for Toulayna, she’ll get to rest on her laurels and leave here winning the one class she jumped.”

Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) and Kick On, a 2014 British Sport Horse stallion (Warrior x Caretino Glory) owned by Chansonette Farm, and cared for by Anna Halasz, returned for their second FEI Jumping World Cup Final appearance together, making a statement on the first day of competition and clocking in the fastest time of the class, though a single rail added three seconds to their time in the faults-converted format. The pair would ultimately finish in fourth, just behind Farrington, Daniel Deusser (GER), and Steve Guerdat (SUI).

“I don’t remember the last time we had four in the top six after the first day, so that’s all you can really ask for, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “It’s always a good thing when you can have such a positive start to the week and there was some good riding today. You don’t want to lay it all out on the table on the first day, but you want to be in the game, so you have a good chance looking at tomorrow and Sunday’s final.”

In their FEI World Cup Final debut, Jacob Pope (Owings Mills, Md.) and Highway FBH, a 2012 KWPN gelding (Plot Blue x Cornet Obolensky) owned by Sherri Crawford and Jacob Pope, and cared for by Javier Jimenez, went late in the order and notched an impressive clear round to stop the timers in 63.89 seconds for fifth place overall heading into tomorrow’s second round of competition.

Aaron Vale (Williston, Fla.) and Carissimo 25, a 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello x Clinton) owned by The Carissimo Group, and cared for by Nicky Cook, who were the first to test the day’s track after pulling the number one slot in the draw order, and jumped a quick clear to start the day, keeping them inside of the top six by the conclusion of the class.

The second day of competition will start at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET, on April 10, and will run in the reverse order of the final placings from today’s class, with Farrington returning last.

Final Results – Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final – First Competition CSI 5*-W

1) Kent Farrington (USA) & Toulayna – 0 – 62.03

4) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Kick On – 0 – 63.78

5) Jacob Pope (USA) & Highway FBH – 0 – 63.89

Source: Press Release from the US Equestrian Communications Dept. for US Equestrian / USEF – United States Equestrian Federation

Photos: © US Equestrian

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