The U.S. has announced its team for the World Championships in Aachen in show jumping; World Cup winner Farrington is not on the team

Kent Farrington has decided on his own that he does not want to compete at the World Championships in Aachen. On Instagram, he explained that this decision was based on long-term planning for his horses. Greya has already competed in one championship this year—the World Cup Final—which she won in outstanding fashion.

His second option was Descartes SR, whom he has only recently begun riding. That’s exactly why he doesn’t want to send him to Aachen, according to Farrington: “Although Descartes SR has put in some outstanding performances this season, I believe he’s still developing, and a championship of this magnitude is a bit too early in his career.”

His long-term goal is the 2028 Olympic Games on home soil in Los Angeles. He believes it is the right decision to “prioritize this goal and keep both horses’ long-term futures in mind.” This way, each horse can continue to develop at the pace it needs.

Farrington concluded: “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be considered, and I wish the U.S. team the best of luck at the World Championships.”

The U.S. show jumping team for the World Championships in Aachen

The following five pairs are expected to win a medal for the U.S. at the World Championships in Aachen:

• World Cup bronze medalists Katie Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF ( a 12-year-old BWP mare by Verdi TN-Cassini, bred by Spy Coast Farm LLC)


• Lillie Keenan, who rode for the U.S. World Championship team in Herning in 2022 and rides Fasther (a 16-year-old KWPN by Vido d’Arsouilles-Farmer, bred by G. J. A. Moerings), is riding a highly experienced horse that has, however, never competed in a championship


• the 2018 World Team Champion, 2006 silver medalist and Olympic team gold and silver medalist Laura Kraut with Bisquetta ( a 12-year-old Zangersheider mare by Bisquet Balou C-Takashi van Berkenbroek, bred by C. McCarthy-Winters), for whom this will be her first championship


• Marilyn Little, who has already won two gold medals in eventing for the U.S. at the Pan American Games but has never been part of a show jumping team at a championship, will compete with La Contessa ( an 11-year-old Mecklenburg mare by License-Cornet’s Prinz, bred by Fink GbR), who had three clear rounds in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam


• McLain Ward, a two-time Olympic team champion, World Team Champion, and coach to Lillie Keenan, among other roles, will be riding High Star Hero (a 13-year-old SBS gelding by Zazu-Darco, bred by Luc Henry), who is set to compete in his first championship.