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Kent FARRINGTON

Kent Farrington, American Jumping athlete.
Name Kent FARRINGTON
FEI ID 10009302
Gender Male
Date of Birth 28/12/1980
Competing for United States of America - USA
Registration Jumping 2025
Last update 30/07/2024
FEI Database




Jumping 70x70
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport? He began riding at age eight in Chicago, IL, United States of America.
Why this sport? He found an old photo of his mother riding a horse, and told her that he wanted to try it himself. He then began taking lessons once a week at a riding school. "I was enthusiastic and aggressive. An instructor who had racing and eventing ponies asked if I'd like to come and ride them."
Training Regime He uses callisthenics [a form of strength training that involves bodyweight exercises] as part of his fitness regime. "For our sport I don't want to be too bulky – I want to try to have as much body control and as much strength as I can, while not putting on too much weight, because ultimately the horses still have to jump the jumps. Core strength and balance is fundamental for any kind of sport that requires balance and some kind of agility."
Further Personal Information
Residence Wellington, FL, USA
Occupation Athlete, Business Owner, Horse Trainer
Languages English, Spanish
General Interest
Most influential person in career His father Kip. (nfstyle.com, 12 Feb 2017)
Hero / Idol Canadian jumper Ian Millar, Austrian jumper Hugo Simon, US jumper Conrad Homfeld, British jumper Nick Skelton, US rapper Jay-Z. (noellefloyd.com, 14 May 2017; nfstyle.com, 12 Feb 2017; Athlete, 22 Jul 2011)
Injuries He broke his right leg after a fall at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] in Wellington, FL, United States of America. (fei.org, 12 Apr 2018; noellefloyd.com, 15 Feb 2018)
Sporting philosophy / motto "I ride a lot off of feeling. It's important for me to feel what is right for the horse and not a matter of robotic routine. Go with what feels right for that particular horse on that particular day. If he's a little stiff or a little slow, I might spend more time at the trot. If he feels good, then I might move on more quickly to the canter." (practicalhorsemanmag.com, 03 Aug 2018)
Awards and honours He was named the 2020 International Equestrian of the Year by the United States Equestrian Federation [USEF]. His horse Gazelle was named International Horse of the Year. (horseandhound.co.uk, 18 Jan 2021) In April 2018 he was presented with the International Equestrian Federation [FEI] World's Best Jumping Rider of the Year Award. (fei.org, 12 Apr 2018) He was named the 2006 American Grand Prix Association [AGA] Trainer of the Year. (horseinsurance.com, 01 Dec 2007) In 2001 he received the Maxine Beard Award, which is given annually to the equestrian jumper who shows the most potential to represent the United States of America in international competition. (horseinsurance.com, 01 Dec 2007)
Ambitions To win individual gold at the Olympic Games. (vogue.com, 24 Sep 2017)
Other information STABLES In 2002 he set up Kent Farrington LLC in Greenwich, CT, United States of America. Now based in Wellington, Florida, his stables are home to prospective young jumpers and grand prix horses. He also trains amateur riders and young competitors. (kentfarrington.com, 05 Jul 2021; Facebook page, 08 Oct 2021; horse-canada.com, 31 Mar 2019) POST-INJURY He broke his right leg after a fall at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] in Wellington, FL, United States of America, and was sidelined for three months. "You have to learn to walk again. Mentally, it's very taxing. After the surgery I was walking around the hospital on crutches when everyone else was asleep - I think it was only 10 or 11 hours after my operation, but I felt I needed to move. Once I was out of hospital I had a week of resting at home to recover. I think that recovery is down to healing physically but also focusing mentally and that's what I was determined to do." (equnews.com, 31 May 2018; horseandhound.co.uk, 16 May 2018)
General highlights He won team silver at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He also represented the US at the 2020 and 2024 Games. He won team gold and individual silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. He won team bronze at the 2014 World Equestrian Games.