FEI Rankings Monthly Update for August 2023

The FEI oversees around 70 rankings and standings across all the disciplines, from World Rankings calculated on a monthly basis for athletes, horses and/or combinations, to league, team and regional based standings for Series such as the FEI World Cup™ and FEI Nations Cup™, as well as a variety of youth categories, among others.

You will find below a snapshot of the main movers and shakers for the month of August 2023 in the senior World Rankings, as well as a special spotlight on the FEI Dressage World Youth Ranking – U25 and a rising star form Germany for this month’s special “Ranking Spotlight”.

Longines Rankings: Henrik von Eckermann, a solid leader.

The Swedish athlete continues to dominate the Longines Rankings with an impressive 3575 points, further widening the gap between him and Julien Epaillard (FRA) by 529 points. Harrie Smolders (NED) securely holds the third position with 2964 points, while Swiss rider Martin Fuchs (2918 points) makes a strong comeback to the top 5, surpassing Mclain Ward (USA), who now stands at fifth place with 2838 points.

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Remarkably, the next four ranked riders are separated by a margin of less than 100 points: Simon Delestre (FRA), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Kent Farrington (USA), and Ben Maher (GBR). Closing the top 10 with a solid performance is Conor Swail (IRL) with 2656 points.

For Canada, Tiffany Foster continues to lead the way, moving from 49th in July to 35th with 2084 points.

FEI Dressage World Ranking – Athletes: Charlotte Fry threatens Jessica von Bredow Werndl’s leadership.

A mere 4 points. That’s all that stands between Jessica von Bredow Werndl (GER) and Charlotte Fry (GBR) in the global rankings. The British equestrian, who has an impressive 2141 points is extremely close to claiming the top spot from the German leader currently on 2145 points, with just a month to go before they compete head-to-head at the prestigious FEI Dressage European Championship in Riesenbeck in September. Meanwhile, Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN) solidifies her third-place position, with 2044 points, with Isabel Werth (GER) close behind in fourth place with 2014 points. Canadian Chris Von Martels (112th) has moved ahead of Naima Moreira Laliberte (141st), although in the overall dressage standings, Brittany Fraser and All In sit at 37th spot. Denielle Gallagher is 5th in the CDI2* rankings, while Evi Strasser is 8th in the NA League World Cup standings.

FEI Dressage World Ranking – Horses: TSF Dalera BB holds firm at the Top

The top positions in the Horses Ranking remain unchanged, with von Bredow-Werndl’s mare, TSF Dalera BB, maintaining her lead with 2145 points. Charlotte Fry’s stallion, Glamourdale, has narrowed the gap by accumulating 2059 points. Nanna Skodborg Merrald’s gelding, Blue Hors Zepter, maintains her third place with 1983 points, while DSP Quantaz holds onto fourth place with 1897 points. Top Canadian horse is Eclips, ridden by Chris von Martels, at 129th.

FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings: Tim Price, ten months at the top of the world in Eventing.

The Kiwi has maintained his position at the pinnacle of the world ranking for an impressive ten consecutive months. Accumulating 547 points, he enjoys a comfortable 44-point lead over his closest rival, Tom McEwen (GBR), who currently holds 503 points. Not far behind, Rosalind Canter (GBR) secures the third spot in the rankings with 500 points. Looking ahead to the FEI Eventing European Championship at Haras du Pin (FRA) this week all eyes will be on the European Athletes, with some possible changes and shifts in the rankings as a result. For Canada, Karl Slezak (73rd) is slightly ahead of Colleen Loach (80th).

FEI Driving World Ranking – Four-in-Hand / Pairs / Singles: Exell, Hölle, and Gandolfo maintain the lead

Boyd Exell (AUS) continues to demonstrate his dominance, maintaining his position at the top with a score of 264 points and an advantage of 96 points over Bram Chardon (NED). In Pairs, Martin Hölle (HUN) leads over his fellow countryman Jószef Dobrovitz Jr, while in Singles the Swiss Mario Gandolfo is still at the top with 123 points, followed by Kelly Houtappels-Bruder (CAN) and Jessica Wächter (GER).

FEI Endurance Open Riders / Open Horse World Ranking: Montagne and Deese La Majorie lead the way

Julia Montagne (FRA) has established herself as a solid leader, amassing a total of 690 points, ahead of Constanza Laliscia (ITA) who trails closely with 653 points. Canada’s Yvette Vinton sits in 63rd place, up from 112th last month. In the Open Horse Ranking, a Bahraini-owned horse dominates the leaderboard. The mare Deese La Majorie holds the leading position with 282 points. Indico Rio Frio (POR) secures the second spot with 280 points, while the gelding from Bahrain Bolt de Venelles closes the Top 3.

FEI Para-Dressage World Individual & Team Ranking: Rihards Snikus stays at the top

Rihards Snikus (LAT) continues to reign at the top, a position he earned a couple of months ago, boasting an impressive total of 2331 points. Meanwhile, Sara Morganti from Italy successfully holds on to second position, while Kate Shoemaker from the USA remains in third. In the Team Ranking, it’s the Netherlands who currently dominate the leaderboard with a total of 1348 points. That gives them a slight but significant 16-point advantage over the USA. Not far behind, Germany secures the third spot with a tally of 1323 points. Individually, Roberta Sheffield is top Canadian in 27th place overall and 6th in the Gr III ranking; Jody Schloss is 26th in the Gr I ranking; Laura Hall is 41st in the Gr IV and Eleanore Elstone is 48th in the Gr V.

Ranking Spotlight

Felicitas Hendricks, hailing from Germany, has achieved an astounding feat by surging 22 positions in the highly competitive FEI Dressage World Youth Ranking U25, ultimately securing a third-place standing. This rise in the rankings can be attributed to her performance at the recent FEI Dressage European Championships for U25 in 2023. During the championship, Felicitas Hendricks showcased her talent and determination, earning herself three well-deserved medals: a gold and a silver in the individual category, along with a gold medal for the team event.

This outstanding accomplishment not only solidifies her position among the top young Dressage riders but also marks a significant milestone in her career. Felicitas has entered the prestigious Top 100 of the FEI Dressage Ranking – Athletes, a remarkable achievement that reflects her dedication and skill as a rising star in the world of Dressage.

In Vaulting, Canada’s Averill Saunders sits 10th in the Female standings.

You can check all FEI Rankings here.

~with files from FEI