Kent Farrington, ranked fifth in the world and the top rider from America at the end of 2014, is bypassing the World Cup circuit but has set his sights on riding Voyeur to victory this year in the Aachen Grand Prix to avenge second place for the pair last year.

Kent showed off his 13-acre (5.26HA) farm of 20 stalls in Wellington which he now calls home because of the explosive growth of the Florida circuit after growing up in Chicago before moving to New York.

Last year was a standout year for the 34-year-old rider who logged 20 victories competing on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as riding Voyeur on the United States bronze medal team at the World Equestrian Games. The Media Tour was organized to highlight Kent’s new partnership with Rolex

He wasn’t satisfied with the pair’s runnerup placing at the prestigious Aachen Grand Prix and hopes to take the 13-year-old KWPN gelding back to Aachen this year for another shot at the Rolex Grand Prix.

“I would like to take Voyeur again to Aachen in an ideal plan,” he said.

“Every rider in the world wants to win Aachen, We were  close last year and I hope to have revenge this year.”

And he’d also like to be selected for the American team for the Pan American Games in Toronto in July. He rode in the last Pan Ams, in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011.

He described Voyeur as one of the most difficult horses he’s ever had to ride, but also the most rewarding. The horse is “strong and extremely hot” but harnessing that energy made him a “tremendous performer.”

Kent’s formula for success includes resilience—learning to deal with the down times and adversities that all riders face, and surrounding himself with the best people that make the enterprise operate like a well-oiled machine.

Text/photos (c) Ken Braddick / www.dressage-news.com