Kent Farrington may have had a different horse in the $75,000 Fidelity Investments AGA Grand Prix this year but he still had the same magic touch conquering world renowned course designer Richard Jeffery's challenging course.

A field of 30 riders entered the Grand Prix with seven riders advancing to the jump off. The Ultimate Resort skinny jump with a roll back to the Fidelity Investments Triple Combination proved the most challenging elements of the course coming down consistently throughout the day.

The lead for the Grand Prix would change hands several times during the jump off leaving over the 10,000 spectators in attendance on the edge of their seats in anticipation. As threatening weather rolled in upon the field, riders were forced to step up their strategy with their equine partners. First, Christine McCrea aboard Promised Land, set the tone and jumped clear. Their time would not be in first long as Peter Wylde and Esplanade quickly moved into the top spot.

Wylde's time would change hands in seconds when Mac Cone and Melinda had a clean and fast go around. Riders tried to catch Cone unsuccessfully until Farrington and Up Chiqui entered the ring. Farrington had a focused game face on and Up Chiqui returned with a spring in his step and several feisty swishes of the tail making it apparent that they both meant business. The pair raced to the finish line and were never caught again, leading them directly to the Adequan Winner's Circle for the second year in a row.

In 2006, Farrington won the Fidelity Investments Grand Prix aboard his AGA horse of the year, Madison. He also won the $7,500 Mohegan Sun Speed Stake aboard Woica that year. Up Chiqui is currently second in the AGA standings behind McClain Ward and Sapphire.

Farrington has been riding Up Chiqui, a 10 year old chestnut BWP Belgian Warm Blood stallion owned by Alex Boone for the past year. "He's a top horse, and he's had a spectacular year, said Farrington." "This is his first year doing the Grand Prix's and he has won at least eight already which is pretty amazing. It feels great to add another one to that list with the quality of horses and riders that competed today, he added."

Farrington and Up Chiqui have been a great team this year posting several wins Including the $100,000 Upperville Jumper Classic and the $50,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix.

$75,000 FIDELITY INVESTMENTS AGA GRAND PRIX September 9, 2007 THE JUMPER CLASSIC - HAMILTON
1.Kent Farrington - UP CHIQUI 0 0 31.17 $22.500
2.Mac Cone - MELINDA 0 0 32.20 $16.500
3.Peter Wylde - ESPLANADE 7 0 0 32.70 $9.750
4.Carolyn Kelly - RULANDA 0 0 33.19 $6.000
5.Christine McCrea - PROMISED LAND 0 0 33.64 $4.500
6.Georgina Bloomberg - CURIUS 0 4 35.84 $3.750
7.Jonathan Millar - CHIANTO 0 8 36.75 $3.000


photo : Kent Farrington & Up Chiqui