Jumping: Ben Maher contests Henrik von Eckermann’s supremacy
The rivalry within the Longines Rankings has reached new heights with the arrival of the new year, as British rider Ben Maher (3330 points) trails closely behind Swedish rider Henrik von Eckermann (3421 points) by a margin of fewer than a hundred points. This narrow gap represents the closest competition witnessed in recent times. Von Eckermann has maintained his top-ranking status for an impressive 18 months, yet Maher has emerged as a formidable challenger to von Eckermann’s supremacy as 2024 gets underway.
The top five is solidified by Kent Farrington (USA) with 3075 points and Steve Guerdat (SUI) with 3047 points, maintaining their third and fourth positions, respectively. Julien Epalliard (FRA) ascends to the fifth position with 3023 points, distinguishing these five athletes as the exclusive members surpassing the coveted 3000-point milestone.
In the sixth position, Martin Fuchs (SUI) holds strong with 2835 points, while Simon Delestre (FRA) makes a climb to the seventh position on 2834 points. Austrian athlete Max Kühner secures the eighth spot with 2775 points, surpassing McLain Ward (USA), who experiences a setback, dropping two positions to ninth on 2750 points. Rounding out the top 10 is Richard Vogel (GER) with 2717 points.
Top Canadian on this list continues to be Tiffany Foster, although she has slipped slightly from 19th to 24th. Others in the top 100 are Erynn Ballard (38), Amy Millar (64) with Mario Deslauriers (66) close behind.
Dressage: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, TSF Dalera BB remain #1
No changes in the top five of the Dressage World Ranking for Athletes as Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) remains in the lead with 2186 points. Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) has climbed two positions to reach the second place (2100 points), surpassing Charlotte Fry (GBR) and Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN), who are now in third and fourth place respectively. The German legend Isabell Werth rounds up the Top 5 on 2014 points. Top Canadian is Ryan Torkkeli in 81st spot; his mount Sternenwanderer has improved a place to 92nd.
Von Bredow-Werndl’s mare TSF Dalera BB still dominates the Horse Ranking, accumulating 2186 points. Imhotep, Charlotte Dujardin’s gelding, is now second with 2100 points. Blue Hors Zepter drops a position and is now third, with Everdale (1929 points) and Emilio 107 (1895 points) completing the top five.
Eventing: Oliver Townend and Great Britain continue to dominate
For the fourth consecutive month, British rider Oliver Townend remains at the top of the Eventing Ranking, with the same 569 points he had a couple of months ago. As has been customary in recent months, the British contingent boasts seven athletes within the Top 10. Alongside Townend, Rosalind Canter closely follows in second place with 546 points, Tom McEwen in fourth, Harry Meade in fifth, Piggy March in sixth, Wills Oakden in seventh, and Laura Collett in tenth.
The only non-British athletes in the Top 10 are the American Boyd Martin in third place, the Frenchman Maxime Livio, who remains eighth and Tim Price (NZL) in ninth. With the season not yet underway, Canadians currently sit 40th (Colleen Loach), 57th (Karl Slezak) and 93rd (Jessica Phoenix).
Driving: Exell, Hölle and Houtappels-Bruder remain at the top
All three Driving Rankings have the same leaders as last month: Kelly Houtappels-Bruder (CAN) remains at the top of the Singles discipline on 72 points, two months after unseating Mario Gandolfo (SUI). Meanwhile, Boyd Exell (AUS) and Martin Hölle (HUN) continue to maintain their strong leadership of the Four-in-Hand and Pairs Rankings respectively. Canada’s Gerben Steenbeek remains in 64 place in the Four-in-Hand rankings; Catherine Levasseur is 62nd in Singles. In Pony Singles, Michelle Courtemanche sits 75th.
Endurance: Montagne retains top spot
Julia Montagne (FRA) is the leader of the Endurance Ranking for the second month in a row with 2265 points, while her compatriot Melody Theolissat is second, chasing the top spot closely with 2042 points. Nicolas Ballarin (FRA) is sitting comfortably in third place (1831 points), while Gil Berenguer (ESP) and Louna Schuiten (BEL) hold fourth and fifth places, respectively. Canadian Yvette Vinton has improved from 79th to 38th.
Para-Dressage: Rihards Snikus and the Netherlands are solid leaders
Rihards Snikus (LAT) continues to lead the Para Dressage Rankings, a position he earned a few months ago, with 1678 points. Meanwhile, Sara Morganti (ITA) successfully holds on to second position on 1630 points, while Kate Shoemaker (USA) remains in third. In the Team Ranking, it’s the Netherlands who still dominate the leaderboard with a total of 1333 points. Germany is now second (1329 points), while the USA follows closely on 1321 points. Canada is 20th as a team, with top-ranked rider being Roberta Sheffield (37th).
Check all FEI Rankings here.
Olympic and Paralympic Rankings for Paris 2024 available here.
~ with files from FEI Communications
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