World stage dress rehearsal for Kent Farrington and Greya in Wellington

World number one Kent Farrington and Greya set the stage nicely for next month’s best of the best contest in Geneva, with a win in the $200,000 FEI CSI4* Holiday & Horses Grand Prix at Wellington International.

Top of their game – Kent Farrington and Greya. Photo: Wellington International

“I’m here training for Geneva,” Kent said. “Which comes up, and it will be big level and best guys, full speed.”

Kent and Greya, an 11-year old Oldenburg mare, had the fastest time in the 8-strong jump off by over six seconds. USA’s Hallie Grimes and Karoline of Ballmore set the bar with the first clear of the opening round – over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio – and the first clear against the clock, finishing in 45.78 seconds, which proved enough for second place.

Hallie Grimes set the pace – claiming the first clear in the opening round and the jump off. Photo: Wellington International

Kent drew gasps from the crowd, as Greya stood off after a roll back to the wall in the jump off – a move which paid dividends. He returned on foot after the presentation to the International Ring to review the maneuver, revealing his attention to detail. “Constantly trying to improve,” he said, was the motivation for the close up course review. “I thought my jump off was good and not great and to win at the highest highest level it becomes fractions and centimeters so if I have the opportunity before I set for the next class and I can improve my plan and my skills then I want to take the opportunity to do that.”

The 2025 CHI Geneva, the 24th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, does what it says on the tin. Earlier this month the qualified 10 riders were announced based on the latest FEI Jumping World Ranking.

Cutting it fine – Kent Farrington and Greya were over six seconds faster than the competition. Photo: Wellington International

Kent will face formidable opposition in Switzerland – not least from 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist Christian Kukuk and 2025 FEI Jumping European Champion Richard Vogel. Greya is one of three possible partners for the occasion. “The plan is to bring Greya, Toulayna and Garrison,” he said of his leading string of horses. “But you know with horses they have different ideas so that is our current plan and hopefully that will be the plan.”

Kent grew up in Chicago but now calls Wellington home. The recent improvements to the Wellington International show grounds brought praise from the 45-year old who has been number one in the rankings since May of this year. “I’ve been coming here for a long time, so it’s my home now,” he said of the Florida town, widely-known as the Winter Equestrian Capital of the world. “I think you have a great team behind with Murray Kessler [Wellington International CEO] leading the charge there. Rolex is here to support it and elevate the status of the facility and as they continue to make improvements, it’s better for all of us to call Wellington home.”

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