A natural athlete, Kim Farlinger spent her youth dividing spare time between track and field and equestrian sport, but her love for horses won out. Participating in local equestrian competitions, she hoped to some day compete at the premier national tournaments across Canada. Kim attended high school in Owen Sound, Ontario, where she graduated with honours.
In early 2003, Kim began training with renowned Canadian Equestrian Team member Jill Henselwood. Vaulting from the amateur divisions to the top levels of the sport in less than two seasons, Kim is currently pursuing a career in show jumping.
Winning the North American Young Riders CSI-J Individual Gold Medal at the 2003 Championships held in Bromont, Quebec, Kim was awarded a Jump Canada Youth Bursary for equestrian excellence.
In the winter of 2004, Kim began her first grand prix season. She was awarded the Molson Canadian Three Star gold medal and subsequently invited to represent Canada at the prestigious Spruce Meadows Masters, the richest show jumping tournament in the world. Closing the 2004 season with a second place finish in the highly contested Canadian Championships held at the Royal Horse Show, Kim's impressive achievements throughout the year resulted in her being named to the Canadian Equestrian Team's short list for the first time.
2005 was equally successful for Kim. With an individual fourth place finish at the North American Young Riders CSI-YR Championship in Lexington, Virginia, a second consecutive Gold medal in the Molson Three Star Award and numerous internationally ranked grand prix placings, Kim finished the year in fourth place nationally on the Gandini World Rider Rankings list. Securing her position on Canada's short list, Kim's accomplishments also resulted in a sponsorship with "Team Molson"; a program for aspiring world class show jumping athletes.
In 2006 Kim continued her winning ways with numerous placings as CSI events across North America. In the fall, Kim was invited to represent Canada at CSI Rio de Jeneiro and gained valuable international exposure earning the Leading Foreign Rider Award.
Kim has many interests, including downhill skiing and music, but her career objectives are clearly fixed on representing Canada in future international competition.
