Ranking as world no. one for a second time in his career, Kent Farrington has also broken his own record of five-star Grand Prix wins in 2025. Photo © Jenny A Photo for World of Showjumping.
Text © World of Showjumping
As 2025 comes to an end, USA’s Kent Farrington has held the number one spot on the Longines Rankings for eight consecutive months. Ranking as world no. one for a second time in his career, the 44-year-old has also broken his own record of five-star Grand Prix wins in 2025. With Greya (Colestus x Contender), Farrington took the Major-title in the CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva in December to cap of a year that saw the grey mare win a total of eight four- and five-star Grand Prix classes, while Toulayna (Toulon x Parco) topped four.
“I’ve had a great team of horses, which is what the sport is all about,” the current world number one says humbly. “They're the ones I've been developing since they were young. It is a rewarding experience, and it is great to see them make it to the highest level and have success there.”
“Overall, I would say that a highlight probably has been getting back to world number one,” Farrington says as he looks back on his record-breaking year. “Last time, I did it with a totally different group of horses, so to start over with a new and young group and build them back up to that spot in the sport has been a great experience.”
"You always have to adapt to the situation and not get too comfortable in habits for the sake of “this is how I've always done it”. I'm going to stay that way; evolving with my horses over time," Farrington explains. Photo © Jenny A Photo for World of Showjumping.
“It’s been the same journey with new challenges, because all of the horses are different,” he reflects on the road back to the number one spot. “You have to figure out a way to work with each horse and understand them, and that ultimately is what our sport is about. There are always challenges; horses are always challenging you in different ways. Trying to understand their personalities is a moving target because the horses are always evolving. What was the best plan for success when the horse was ten might be a different plan for success when the horse is 11 or 12. You always have to adapt to the situation and not get too comfortable in habits for the sake of “this is how I've always done it”. I'm going to stay that way; evolving with my horses over time.”
Next year, Farrington hopes to continue on the same trajectory that saw him succeed in 2025. “Hopefully next year will be a continuation of 2025, with some new young horses finding their way to higher level – that would be the goal,” he concludes.
No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
Then