The U.S. has a very good and, at least on paper, competitive jumping team for the World Championships at the World Equestrian Games, but an extraordinary piece is missing.

McLain Ward on High Star Hero at Aachen last year (Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson)World no. 1 Kent Farrington is not on the team after he withdrew the world's top mare from consideration for the team. 

Farrington posted on social media:

“After giving a great deal of thought to this season and what I believe is the best long-term management for my horses, I have decided to withdraw from consideration for the World Equestrian Games.
“Greya has already contested a championship on home soil this year, and we were fortunate enough to come away with the victory,”
Whle Descartes SR, has delivered some outstanding performances this season, I believe he is still developing and that a championship of this magnitude comes a bit too soon in his career.”
“With the Olympics on home soil in Los Angeles in 2028, I believe the right decision is to prioritize that goal and continue developing both horses with their long-term future in mind. This approach gives them the best opportunity for sustained success while allowing each horse to progress at the right pace.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be considered and I wish the US team every success at the World Equestrian Games."

 

THIS COULD be viewed as an altruistic sacrifice for the good of his horses.

Laura Kraut on Bisquetta at Aachen last year (Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson)There are three days of competition - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 15, 16 and 17, then two rounds of individual competition on Sunday, Aug. 19. 

Of course, if all that's too much for a horse, ta rider could choose to skip the two round individual and only compete for the team - but that still is three days.

Apparently Farrngton feels that's too much for his mare.

Luckily, the U.S. has a long history of riders who have sacrificed much to compete on and support Olympic and World Championships teams.

Bruce Davidson, the 1974 World Champion and Mike Plumb are a part of a long list of event riders who made Olympic and World Championship teams a priority.

Plumb also at least twice sacrificed a chance at an individual medal and individual glory to make sure the team could medal.

Robert Ridland (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)For Bill Steinkraus, the first U.S. rider to win an individual gold medal, and who went on to serve as chairman of the U.S. Equestran Team for 20 years, the team and the United States came before all else.

It was the same for Frank Chapot. who not only completed on teams for two decades but went on to serve a chef d'equipe for another two decades.

The U.S. team for the Aachen World Championships is lucky to have three for whom representing their country and contributing to its success are of prime importance.

Chef d'equipe Robert Ridland not only was a team rider but has helped to build the U.S. into a continuing force in international competition by increasing and strengthening U.S. teams by his vision of putting two young riders on teams with two veterans.

McLain Ward and Laura Kraut have always made the team a priority, not only for the Olympics and World Championships but also for Nations Cup competitions.

These riders and many more have kept the U.S. in the top ranks of international equestrian sport by supporting the team competitions.