Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/773382
W hen Kent Farrington announced his plans to become a professional show jumper after graduating from Chicago's elite Latin School in 1999, his parents were bemused. "My mom was supportive because that's how moms are," he said. "My dad thought I was joining the circus." Farrington's father can be forgiven for his initial misgivings. After all, few city kids – especially those who began their careers riding carriage horses in Old Town – become world-class equestrians. Even fewer do it before they can legally drink a beer. But Farrington, who grew up in Lincoln Park, proved to be the exception, winning more than $1 million in his first three years as a professional and earning the Maxine Beard Award in 2001 for the American rider with best potential to represent the United States on the international stage. Now 35, Farrington leads a U.S. equestrian team that many expect to medal in the Olympic show jumping competition. Currently ranked No. 4 in world, Farrington will be riding Voyeur, a 14-year-old gelding, when the team event begins Tuesday. "He is an inspiration," said American teammate McLain Ward, a two-time gold medalist competing in his fourth Olympics. "He keeps me hungry. He keeps me fighting. His level of excellence keeps me from getting old. We have a friendship, but I don't want to lose any of my records to him." Like the golfers and basketball players here, the equestrian competitors have their own professional circuit with major competitions and larger purses. But unlike those other sports, the vast majority of the equestrian world's biggest stars have traveled to Rio for the Games. "The Olympics are bigger than our sport," Farrington said. "It's huge just to be a part of it and be gathered with the best athletes in the world." Farrington began riding at age 8 after seeing a picture of his mother, Lynda, on horseback and wanting to give the sport a try. She signed him up for weekly lessons at a carriage barn in Old Town, where he learned to ride on the some of the same horses that pull carriages around the city. As a teen, he began racing ponies at St. James Farm in Warrenville and re-training racehorses. He dreamed of becoming a jockey – until he learned how dangerous it could be. "I was probably too big for a jockey anyway," said Farrington, who is 5-foot-8. The Olympics are bigger than our sport. It's huge just to be a part of it and be gathered with the best athletes in the world." 28