Kent Farrington and Gazelle. PC: CK3288/cc/Wikimedia Commons
Kent Farrington was far and away the most qualified competitor in the North American Eastern Sub-League this winter, claiming 72 points and easily qualifying for the FEI World Cup Jumping Final in one of the most competitive regions. But when the definite entries were released, Kent was not among them. What gives?
Kent’s Talented String
According to FEI records, the 2016 Rio Olympic athlete was qualified for the final with three horses: Creedance, Gazelle, and Voyeur. Gazelle earned her ticket when she won the American Gold Cup at North Salem Farm September. Creedance had two qualifying scores: Once with his third place podium finish at the Sacramento International in October, and another at the CSI 4* in Toronto last November.
Kent’s Olympic mount Voyeur was also qualified; The 15-year-old bay gelding won the World Cup class at the CP National Horse Show in Kentucky. But since then the veteran horse has had an otherwise light winter season, not even making an FEI appearance in the new year.
Bigger Plans for Creedance?
Based off the show schedules for Creedance and Gazelle, it seems clear that Kent was hoping to aim Creedance for the final, having used him for the majority of the World Cup Qualifier classes.
The pair had highs and lows during their winter in Wellington; just ten days ago the two were runners up in a competitive CSI 3*, but in their last 1.60m start, they were eliminated.
Kent has repeatedly said that Creedance is a horse he wants to move up slowly and confidently above all else. At 10 years old, the horse could have a WEG or Olympic appearance in him, yet. According to an interview he gave with Practical Horsemen’s Nancy Jaffer, Kent stated he’d only go if he felt confident his horse was ready.
Pending any further announcements from Kent on the matter, our best determination is that he’s saving Creedance – and the rest of his talented string – for another day.
Horsemanship and professionalism will be on full display in Omaha, but arguably the best examples say as much with their absence as they would with their presence.
Go Jumping.
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