Wellington, FL ­– Kent Farrington riding Up Chiqui was the best of the American riders but finished second overall behind Canadian rider Eric Lamaze on Narcotique de Muze II in the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championships presented by Equine Motorcoach at the 124th National Horse Show. 32 horses and riders cantered into the ring for the first round of the $25,000 class. Farrington and Up Chiqui have been very successful recently, picking up multiple Grand Prix wins in the second half of 2007.

Over a course designed by Pierre Jolicouer, 15 horses jumped clear in the first round, which brought them back into the ring for the jump off. The ninth fence, a narrow set of plans proved troublesome throughout the first round. This group included last year’s winner, McLain Ward. Six riders jumped clear in the jump-off and Lamaze was faster than Farrington by more than a second. Jimmy Torano and Ormsby Hillfrom the U.S. were third. Torano’s wife Danielle was fourth.

The Second round of the competition gets underway on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Sunday’s competition counts for double points.

For more information please contact High Performance Communications Manager, Joanie Morris at [email protected].