A Star is Born
By Aubrey Simpson
Madison, a Southern States fed horse, is making history. Owned by Alexa Weeks, Madison, a Dutch bred Mare, is the first horse to win back-to-back American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Horse of the Year titles in twenty-two years.
The AGA is the granddaddy of show jumping. Celebrating its twenty-eighth year, the AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping is the world's richest and longest running series of show jumping events. Unique in its scope and payoffs, the AGA series offers over three million dollars in prize money on a tour that encompasses thirty events in twenty different equestrian markets across the United States. It's a real testament to Madison's abilities that in her record setting year, Madison earned $103,930 on the way to winning the 2006 AGA title.
Alexa Weeks, Madison's owner, expresses the surprise element behind this champion's success. "What's exciting about Madison is that she was bought as a kid's horse. In 2003, we literally bought her for my sister and I to ride and compete in lower amateur levels of horseshow competitions. We weren't aware of what a quality horse she would become. There were no expectations and she kept surprising us, and became a little celebrity. She has an enormous heart, that's what makes her so great - her heart. That, and we were really lucky to have someone like Kent Farrington training and riding her. Kent saw her potential and ran with it."
Madison's rider both years of her AGA title wins is 26 year old Kent Farrington. Kent started riding when he was eight and has been riding for eighteen years. During that time Kent has garnered quite a reputation in his own right. A testament to this quiet and unassuming young man's abilities is the fact that he was the runner-up in the 2005 and 2006 AGA's coveted Rider of the Year award.
When asked what makes Madison such a unique champion, Kent replied, "Like any good horse, what makes her great is her heart and her desire to win all on her own. It has been a great opportunity for me to ride her. You always get a good feeling when you ride a horse that loves winning and wants to win as much as you do." Asked what's the secret to his and Madison's success, Kent replied, "As the rider you try to stay out of the way. Riding a naturally talented horse, more often than not the rider makes it harder on the horse. If you're riding a horse that is careful and athletic like Madison, you let her do her thing and try not to upset her." Pressed to comment on his own abilities, Kent shyly suggests, "jumping horses requires balance and a good eye for judging distance. But, it's really more about having a good horse. I have ridden Madison for quite a few years, I'm happy to have had the time I did. I think I got a lot out of the experience."
Kent is moving on and pursuing other venues as a professional rider and starting this year Madison will be ridden by Alexa.
"I'm excited to begin working with her. But, her success has to be attributed to Kent. You don't know where his work ends and her ability begins. We don't expect as much as Madison has achieved in the last two years. But, it'll be easier for her. And, I hope that she will enjoy me as much as I'm going to enjoy riding her."
Madison, a family horse with an enormous heart, surprised the world by winning two AGA Horse of the Year Titles. It's like a tale out of Hollywood, a horse lover's version of A Star is Born.
