Kent Farrington and Orafina Back on Top at Desert International Horse Park
Thermal, California – January 29, 2026 – When it comes to sustained excellence at the highest level, Kent Farrington continues to set the benchmark in international show jumping. For the second consecutive week, the world number one rider reaffirmed his dominance at Desert International Horse Park, delivering a decisive victory in Thursday’s $117,000 Morning Star Sport Horses CSI5*-W Qualifier.
Partnered once again with his longtime mount Orafina, the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Farrington repeated the success he achieved the previous week in the CSI5* Welcome of Desert Circuit 3, securing another top result during Desert Circuit 4, presented by La Quinta Resort & Club.
First to enter the arena on a demanding track designed by Alan Wade and Colm Quinn, Farrington and Orafina immediately set the tone. Out of 30 starters, 24 combinations incurred faults on the initial course, while Orafina made the test appear effortless. The same composure and precision carried through to the jump-off.
Returning first to the Grand Prix Stadium for the deciding round, Farrington and Orafina stopped the clock at an unbeatable 34.83 seconds. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet, riding Argentina de la Marchette, claimed second place as the only other pair to produce a double-clear performance, finishing in 36.95 seconds. Third place went to the USA’s Callie Schott with Uricas v/d Kattenvennen, who recorded four faults in a time of 41.05 seconds.
“Orafina is an exceptional horse, one that I know extremely well—an incredible winner,” Farrington said. “She can do things that many other horses can’t. She has an enormous stride, which allows her to leave out strides while still moving at a very high speed. At the same time, she’s razor-sharp and careful at the fences. That’s a huge advantage in our sport today.”
Reflecting on the challenge of being first to go, Farrington added, “There are pros and cons. The disadvantage is that you don’t get to watch anyone else. The advantage is that you can set the pace for the class. When you know your horse well, sometimes it’s better to stick to your own plan and routine without being influenced by what others do. Today, I focused on riding my round and not worrying too much about anyone else’s strategy.”
This victory secures Farrington a favorable position in the starting order for Saturday night’s featured event, the $340,000 CSI5* Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – Thermal.
With ten weeks of elite-level competition, the Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park will continue through March 15, 2026, further cementing its status as one of the premier fixtures on the international show jumping calendar.
Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
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