Thermal, Calif. – For the second week in a row, Kent Farrington showed spectators at Desert International Horse Park why he is the top-ranked showjumper in the world. This time, the World No. 1 rider and his longtime partner, Orafina, flew to a commanding victory in the $117,000 Morning Star Sport Horses CSI5*-W Qualifier, held on Thursday, January 29.
Fresh off their win in Desert Circuit 3’s $117,000 CSI5* Welcome, Farrington and Orafina returned to clinch a victory in the same class during Desert Circuit 4, presented by La Quinta Resort & Club.
Kent Farrington and Orafina. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
This time, Farrington and his 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare were the very first of 30 entries to take on the course designed by Alan Wade and Colm Quinn, and – while rails would fall for 24 other competitors – Orafina made the track look easy. The same was true when it came time for the jump-off.
As the first to return to the Grand Prix Stadium, Farrington and Orafina laid down a time of 34.83 seconds that would prove far from catchable. Gregory Wathelet of Belgium and his own Argentina de la Marchette finished in second place as the only other duo to finish double clear, stopping the clock on 36.95 seconds. Third place with four faults in a time of 41.05 seconds went to the USA’s Callie Schott and Uricas v/d Kattenvennen.
Kent Farrington topped the podium in the $117,000 Morning Star Sporthorses CSI5*-W 1.55m Qualifier. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“[Orafina] is an exceptional horse, a horse that I know very well, an incredible winner,” said Farrington. “She can do things that many other horses can’t do. She can travel at a super high rate of speed. She has a giant stride, so she can do less strides than other horses, but she can also do them quickly. Then she’s razor sharp, careful at the jump. That’s a big advantage in our sport today.”
Kent Farrington and Orafina. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Of being the first to go in the class, Farrington continued, “What’s an advantage and what’s a disadvantage? A disadvantage is you don’t get to watch everybody else. The advantage is that you get to set the pace for the class, and if you know your horse very well, sometimes that’s more helpful because you just do your round. You haven’t watched anybody else to confuse your plan, and you just go out and do what you set to do. For me, sometimes that is helpful, and I thought today, I’m just doing my routine with my horse and not too worried about somebody else’s plan.”
Second place went to Gregory Wathelet of Belgium and Argentina de la Marchette. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Farrington’s top result secures his spot in the order for Saturday night’s featured event, the $340,000 CSI5* Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – Thermal.
To view complete results from Thursday’s $117,000 Morning Star Sport Horses CSI5*-W Qualifier, click here.
With 10 weeks of top-caliber competition, Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park continues through March 15, 2026. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.