Ruthless Precision: Kent Farrington Reclaims World #1 Spot

Seven years. That’s how long Kent Farrington has waited to return to the top of the Longines World Rankings. After first reaching the summit in 2017 and losing the crown to Harrie Smolders following an injury in early 2018, the American rider is now officially back as the World Number 1 in Jumping, a significant milestone not just for Kent, but for U.S. equestrian sport as a whole.

A New Era: Ruthless Beats Relentless

Since Kent last held the No.1 spot, six different riders have cycled through the pinnacle of the sport, most recently Henrik von Eckermann, who reigned for 32 consecutive months. Henrik’s rise was defined by consistency and volume: more horses, more rounds, and more podiums. But Kent’s resurgence tells a different story.

The numbers speak volumes:

Same clear rate.
Half the appearances.
50% more wins.

Henrik was relentless. Kent? Ruthless.

The Mare Behind the Master: Greya’s Meteoric Rise

Every world No.1 needs a superstar in the stable. For Kent, that horse is Greya, a 2014 Oldenburg mare who’s been with him since the early days of her career. In 2023, they debuted at CSI5* 160 level and the results since have been electric.

Greya has delivered five of Kent’s six 1.60m victories in the last 12 months, including Grand Prix wins in Wellington, La Baule, and most recently, Lexington.

From a performance analytics perspective, Greya is one of the highest-rated U.S. horses ever under the age of 12. Her current Elo rating of 773 matches the career peak of Baloutinue and sits just 3 points shy of Kent’s legendary Voyeur, who hit 776 at Spruce Meadows in 2016. Only four U.S. horses in the last 15 years have been rated higher.

Jump-Off Genius: Farrington’s Finishing Touch

One of the clearest indicators of Farrington’s dominance? What he does when the pressure is highest.

Since the start of 2023, his two top mounts, Greya and Toulayna, have posted a combined 75% clear rate in jump-offs at 160cm. Greya alone has converted 83% of her jump-off clears into wins.

When Kent gets to a jump-off, he doesn’t just compete, he closes.

A Nation on the Rise: Two U.S. Riders, Two World Number Ones

May 2025 marks a turning point for U.S. equestrian sport. Alongside Kent’s return to the top of the jumping world, Boyd Martin has been confirmed as the World Number 1 in Eventing.

This dual success is rare and symbolic. Two American riders now lead the global rankings in two Olympic disciplines. It reflects not only individual brilliance but also a broader resurgence in U.S. high-performance programs.

While Germany boasts reigning Olympic champions and Great Britain holds the team crowns, the United States is quietly building momentum. Without a home championship in 2025, American riders are still delivering on the world stage. All eyes now turn to Aachen 2026, and further ahead, Los Angeles 2028.

The Bottom Line

Kent Farrington’s return to World Number 1 is more than a comeback. It’s a case study in calculated excellence — competing less, winning more, and maximizing every opportunity. With Greya at his side and the U.S. program firing on all cylinders, this isn’t just a headline. It’s a signal.

The U.S. is coming.