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.
Here is a snapshot of the main movers and shakers for the month of May 2024 in the senior World Rankings, as well as how Canadian equestrians are faring in the mix.
Jumping: Henrik von Eckermann stays on top after World Cup Final victory
There were few changes in the new Longines Rankings for the month of May, with nine athletes remaining in the top 10. After Henrik von Eckermann’s (SWE) victory in Riyadh, the Swede maintains his firm grip on the top spot with 3538 points. Britain’s Ben Maher (3438 points) remains second and has slightly narrowed the gap to 100 points. Steve Guerdat (SUI) closes out the top three, maintaining his position from the previous month with 3220 points.
For Canada, the top four remain in the same order: Tiffany Foster, 22nd; Erynn Ballard, 34th (up from 41st); Amy Millar, 52nd; and Mario Deslauriers, 68th.
Dressage – Jessica von Bredow Werndl dominance continues
There were no changes at the top of the Dressage World Ranking, where Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and her mount TSF Dalera BB remain No.1 with 2190 points, while Isabell Werth (GER) and Charlotte Fry (GBR) stay in second and third position, with 2100 and 2053 points respectively. Charlotte Dujardin’s gelding Imhotep is now second on the horse list, climbing 36 positions with 1988 points and ahead of DSP Quantaz, who is now third on 1904 points.
There are currently no Canadian dressage riders in the top 100, as Ryan Torkkeli has slipped from 80th to 128th. Jill Irving now retains the top spot in 118th place.
Eventing: Oliver Townend and Great Britain’s dominance extends
Great Britain’s Oliver Townend maintains his supremacy atop the FEI Eventing World Athlete Ranking for the eighth consecutive month, holding steady with 602 points. British athletes continue to dominate, with eight athletes (Rosalind Canter, Tom McEwen, Harry Meade, Piggy March, Yasmin Ingham, Wills Oakden and Laura Collett) securing positions within the top ten. Boyd Martin (USA) sits in third place with 471 points.
Canadians on this list continue to be led by Karl Slezak (76th), although Colleen Loach (81st) has slipped ahead of Jessica Phoenix (94th).
Driving Four-in-Hand/Pairs/Singles: Exell and Bruder remain at the top
Germany’s Dennis Schneiders has dethroned Martin Hölle as leader of the FEI Driving World Ranking Pairs with 72 points, just two more than the former leader. The other two Driving rankings have the same leaders as last month: Kelly Bruder (CAN) remains at the top of the Singles discipline on 78 points, three months after unseating Mario Gandolfo (SUI). Meanwhile, Boyd Exell (AUS) continues to maintain their strong leadership of the Four-in-Hand with 291 points.
Endurance: Melody Theolissat and Abdelhak Kaddouri continue to stay in top spots
The French contingent continues to lead the Individual ranking, with Melody Theolissat (FRA) at the top of the FEI Endurance Riders World Ranking with 1068 points. Virginie Atger (FRA), who climbed three positions from February to March, holds her second place position with 1065 points, while Julia Montagne (FRA) loses her position in third to Maria Alvarez Ponton who has 955 points. The top Canadian in endurance is Shannon Thorndyke in 185th spot.
Europe-based Canadian para athlete Austen Burns with Happy Feet 3. (Austen Burns Facebook photo)
Para-Dressage Individual and Team
Rihards Snikus (LAT) cedes his position at the top of the Individual Ranking to Kate Shoemaker (USA), who takes top spot with 1548 points. Tobias Thorning Joergensen (DEN) comes in second with 1528 points, and Austrian legend Pepo Puch taking the 3rd position on 1511.
Canada now has three athletes in the top 100: Roberta Sheffield has nudged up from 34th to 32nd; Jody Schloss went from 128th to 57th (and 30th to 15th in the Gr. 1 standings), and Austen Burns, who has been competing in Europe with Happy Feet 3, jumped from 145th to 70th.
Meanwhile, the Team Ranking has just one change from last month, with the USA replacing Great Britain in third position with 1321 points. First and second places still lie with The Netherlands on 1339 points and Germany with 1332 points, respectively. Canada is 16th in the team standings with 1220 points.
You can check all FEI Rankings here.
~ with files from FEI
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