BACK ON TOP: KENT FARRINGTON’S PATH TO WORLD No.1 - AGAIN

Fresh off his win in Wednesday’s 1.60m Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe at CHIO Aachen, the first qualifier of the week for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix, Kent Farrington remains firmly at the top of the Rankings for the third consecutive month. Just hours after his solo victory, he added another major triumph to his week contributing to the U.S. team's victory in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. It’s a performance that solidifies his status as World No. 1 and shows no signs of slowing down.

With lightning speed, fearless determination, and a remarkable bond with his horses, Farrington has become a true legend in the world of show jumping. From winning some of the sport’s most prestigious Grand Prix events to climbing back to the No. 1 spot in the world, his career is a blend of talent, relentless work ethic, and deep passion.

In this interview, he sits down with Alban Poudret, equestrian journalist, Sports Director of CHI Geneva, to reflect on success, setbacks, and strategy in a demanding sport where horses are partners.

A.P.: Kent, this isn’t the first time you’ve been ranked Number One in the world, and you’ve been back in the No. 1 spot for the past two and now three months. The first time is always special. Is it still as rewarding the second time?

K.F.: Yes, absolutely. One of my goals is always to repeat a great result. That proves it wasn’t just luck. The horses that helped me get to number one the first time have now retired. So, to build a new group of young horses and bring them to the top of the sport, it’s something I’m very proud of. I like to develop the horses myself. I really enjoy the process. I’m also proud of my team, because I have a great group of people that work with me. Many of them have been with me for years. So, this new achievement is something we earned together.

A.P.: It’s a gift for your team, and proof that you have a top-class group of horses and owners.

K.F.: Yes, it shows we’ve been able to reach that level again, with new horses and strong support.

A.P.: You’ve said, “I love to repeat a great win.” Is that the case with the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen or something very important?

K.F.: Definitely. That’s what drives us in this sport: to do it again. Can I win with a different horse? Can I keep performing at the highest level? That’s what defines the top riders. You see the same top group of riders come back again and again, with different horses. That’s the beauty of our sport.

 

A.P.: You’ve won the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final twice, Aachen once, and you collected several victories in the Geneva’s top classes. But not the Spruce Meadows Masters yet?

K.F.: No, I’ve come close, second, then fourth, within touching distance.  Spruce Meadows requires a specific type of horse, and maybe mine haven’t quite been the right fit. But it’s definitely something I hope to achieve. I hope I have the right horse for this one day.

A.P.: Are there some classes or some events that seem to resist you more?

K.F.: Maybe. We’ll see when my career is over. But for now, I still look at it with an open mind and I still believe anything is possible.

A.P.: Let’s go back to the Olympics. Last year, you had to withdraw just hours before the class. Was that a tough exception to your usual mindset?

K.F.: The decision was actually very easy, because it was the right thing. I didn’t feel my horse was in good enough condition, so I had no option. I was doing great, leading right up until then, but she came down with a slight cough the day before and I hoped it would pass, but by the next morning, it hadn’t improved. So, it was very disappointing, but there was no option. That’s our sport. We’re dealing with animals, not machines.

A.P.: You always seem calm, never euphoric, never really down when you have problems like not starting at the Olympics or getting a bad result? Is that your character?

K.F: I wish that were true! When something is out of my control, it’s easier for me to accept. But when it’s my own fault, I take it hard. I always ask myself: “What could I have done better?”. I think that most people who are really good at something tend to blame themselves first, they’re always looking for ways they could have improved.

A.P.: So, when you have 4 faults, you blame yourself?

K.F.: Almost all the time. I try to find what I could have improved. But if the horse isn’t feeling right or isn’t healthy or on good form, that’s different. They’re our partners in this sport, they are not machines, they are animals, so we should always understand and respect them.

A.P.: You won the Rolex Grand Prix in La Baule last year, it was a big victory and there were some. And you also knew that you had two super mares, and they grew, and they got better and better. What made you think you could become again Number One? It was a fantastic season, last year, also the winter in Wellington, where you won a lot.

 

K.F.: Yes, step by step. You are not choosing to chase to be Number One; it is just a consequence of good results, good management and top horses. I have several horses who can win at the top level. They’re still young, so they’re competing consistently, and we've had good results. All of those things combined, will probably get you to Number One. 

A.P.: We were a bit surprised you didn’t go to the World Cup Final in Basel last April. You said, “If I have a horse to win to do great things I will go”. So why did you decide not to go?

K.F.: Several reasons. The calendar is full of top events. We have a Rolex series that's pretty new in America, at the end of our winter. Going from an outdoor season to an indoor season or for an indoor final is very difficult, because we do not practice for this. The Basel ring is also smaller than most indoor venues. I felt my horse wasn’t quite ready for that kind of challenge at that moment. Then I would have needed to go to Europe, to practice at multiple shows inside, in order to feel like I was in proper form at this stage in her career.

A.P.: Then you came in Europe, and you started with Madrid.

K.F.: I started with Madrid, because it’s on grass, which was perfect preparation for Aachen.

A.P.: And why not Rome?

K.F.: The schooling area is a bit small, more difficult for my horse and only four riders per country can go. I’d have had to do both the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix. That wasn’t the best setup for my horse at that moment.

A.P.: You could’ve done the Nations Cup with the other mare?

K.F.: I prefer to do it with the right horse. So, I think sometimes it's that all the horses only have so many jumps in their career. And where you want to use these efforts is up to the rider as a manager of the horse. Where is the smartest place to use this horse to do them.

A.P.: So, the team isn’t a top priority this year, since there are no Pan American Games?

KENT: Yes, I like to be there for the team when it counts. But I also believe in giving younger riders a chance. If we say we want to grow the next generation, we have to give them real opportunities. It can’t always be McLain, Laura, and me doing all the shows all the time so there is not much space for new people.

A.P.: After your victory in the Nations Cup, is the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen your main goal?

K.F.: That would be great, yes.

A.P.: And after Aachen?

K.F.: Falsterbo, a new Rolex series show, will be exciting and if the horses are all still feeling good, then I’ll take them.

A.P.: So, beside the Rolex Grand Slam, the Rolex Series is also a priority?

K.F.: For sure I'm motivated to compete at the best shows, and Rolex have some of the very best. There are many great events in the world today, but obviously being an ambassador for Rolex, I enjoy the shows they organize, and I like to support Rolex and the events that they put on, because I think they're great.

A.P.: Then back to America or will you go to Dublin?

K.F.: Yes. The sport is really growing in the U.S., which is exciting, it’s helping to develop future riders and helps elevate our level of sport.

I want to support these efforts there and also help my sport grow.

A.P.: Will you plan your calendar to stay Number One?

K.F.: Not really. I plan around what’s best for my horses, what they’re ready for, where they can succeed. And hopefully, if I do well, that makes me Number One. But I don’t chase points.

A.P.: You’ve had long relationships with your owners.

K.F.: Yes, some horses I bought myself when they were young. I still own Greya completely. With others, I share ownership, like with the McNerneys, who’ve supported me for years, and the Root family in California, who co-own Toulayna. Katie Robinson is a new owner. She’s passionate about the sport, we just started with two horses this year. I like to find people that are passionate about the sport like me. Enjoy the horses like I do and have fun.

A.P.: Do you manage all this alone?

K.F.: I have a fairly big business at home, so I have quite a few people that work for me. Some have been with me for almost 20 years. My other main people have been with me for more than 10 years. We’re a tight, loyal group.

A.P.: You seem to have more mares now. Coincidence?

K.F.: I’ve always had great mares throughout my career. I haven’t had many stallions, some nice geldings, but stallions not so much.

A.P.: Do you breed?

K.F.: No, but I own some young horses. It’s a passion, I love dreaming about the future. Training horses is what I really enjoy.

With his unique blend of focus, humility, and passion, Kent Farrington shows that staying at the top takes more than talent, it takes vision, resilience, and the will to keep evolving. The journey to World No. 1 may be familiar, but for Farrington, it’s just the beginning of what’s next, it’s the result of doing things right, one jump at a time.

Image above: Kent Farrington and Toulayna jump a clear round in Round One for Team USA in the CSIO5* 1.60m €1,000,000 Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. ©Tiffany Van Halle

Press Release IJRC / Alban Poudret