Hampton Classics: Kent Farrington and Greya Win the Grand Prix; Christian Kukuk Finishes Fifth
Farrington and Greya Win the Grand Prix at the Hampton Classics; Kukuk Finishes Fifth
from Jan Tönjes 
Kent Farrington and Greya won the Grand Prix at the Hampton Classics. Photo: Kind Media Only two riders advanced to the jump-off on Sunday in the $400,000 Hampton Classic CSI5* Grand Prix in Bridgehampton, New York. Both are among the very best in American show jumping. One had decided not to compete in the World Championships, while the other had just returned from Aachen. In the end, world No. 1 Kent Farrington, riding his 12-year-old Oldenburg mare Greya, prevailed over McLain Ward. Ward had saddled the just-ten-year-old Lestro van de Valckenborg by Stakkato Gold. For Farrington, this was already his third victory in this competition, following wins in 2012 with Voyeur and in 2013 with Zafira.
31 starters, two in a tiebreaker
On Nick Granat’s technically demanding 17-jump course, only Farrington and Ward remained faultless out of 31 combinations from ten nations. In the jump-off, Farrington set the fastest time of 41.82 seconds, with Ward finishing 0.74 seconds behind. “I think Greya’s results speak for themselves,” Farrington said after the victory. “I’m a big sports fan, and statistics don’t lie,” the winner explained, noting why his triumph with Greya came as no surprise. “She’s a phenomenal athlete, and she proved that once again today.”
Kukuk Finishes Fifth at the Hampton Classics
The top non-American competitor—and the only non-U.S. rider in the top five—was Christian Kukuk. Riding the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding Akarad Tivoli Z—the horse on which he won the 2026 German Championship—he finished third in the competition as the fastest rider with four penalties. For the Olympic champion, it was his very first appearance at the Hampton Classics. “I talked to a few people, including Kent, and they were really looking forward to coming here,” Kukuk said, explaining his participation. A victory wasn’t possible, according to Kukuk, whose withdrawal from the national team had sparked debate in Germany: “Even if I’d ridden clear, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against those two. The horse has only been in my stable for six months and is still relatively inexperienced at this level. It was only his second 5* Grand Prix.”
Farrington had already won the 2026 World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas, with Greya. You can read more about the mare in the EQUI PAGES profile on Greya.
