Kent Farrington (USA) and Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro) ended Friday's CSIO5* $216,400 1.60m Friends of the Meadows Cup on top after some great jumping.

32 riders lined up for the class where the biggest question asked was fence no. seven – a vertical with brown poles placed on five short strides after an oxer. Five riders cleared the course and two riders got stopped to join the jump-off by the time allowed – Lauren Hough (USA) with Ohlala (Orlando x Cardento) and Antonio Chedraui (MEX) with Ninloubet (Nintender x Galoubet A).

The jump-off consisted of seven fences and eight jumps. It started off with a vertical, then a long stretch to an oxer, a right turn to the big Spruce Meadows oxer, straight on to the b-element of the previous combination, a left turn to the Rolex oxer, a left turn to the b- and c-element of the previous triple combination and then finished with a long stretch to the last fence.

Vladimir Tuganov (RUS) and Suspens Floreval (Clinton x Damiro B) started off the jump-off and went for a safe clear round, crossing the finish line in 45.31 seconds. Next out was Lillie Keenan (USA) with the lovely Super Sox (Salito x Silvio I), and she gave it a good go with the 11-year-old gelding jumping great finishing the shortened course in 41.09 seconds – taking over the lead.

Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) and G&C Arrayan (Baloubet du Rouet x Grannus) caught up with Keenan, but with the very last fence the Spanish rider fell down the ranks. Next out was Pius Schwizer (SUI) and the big Leonard de la Ferme CH (Landjuweel St Hubert x Indigene de Corday). They didn’t take all the risk and cleared the course in 43.03, going into second place.

Kent Farrington (USA) with Gazelle (Kashmir van Shuttershof x Indoctro) was last to go. The mare has looked a bit insecure on the previous days of jumping, but was back jumping just like usual – clearing the course with the winning time of 40.59 seconds. “Lillie really went for it, she has a long strided horse and on the roll back to the third fence I think she went wider than planned. My strategy was to go a little bit slower to number two and turn back very short – I think that’s where I made up the time,” said Farrington.

World no. Farrington had yet to qualify for Sunday’s Grand Prix and commented: “It was nice to get the qualification out of the way to now focus on the next one – I’ll enjoy this victory tonight but It will be back to work tomorrow.”