Jumping: Farrington retains hold on world number one slot
Kent Farrington, despite having removed himself from selection for Team USA at the world championships in Aachen, continues to lead the Longines Rankings for the fourth straight month and has even built on the gap between himself and reigning European champion, Richard Vogel (GER). Vogel’s big goal this season is adding the world crown to his collection. As the tussle for the top continues, there’s a stealthy Irishman sneaking up on the leading duo, however. Two-time Olympian Shane Sweetnam, who picked up his first CSIO5* Grand Prix title when scoring with Aachen-bound James Kann Cruz at Falsterbo in the middle of last month, has edged up the leaderboard from fifth to third, and he too will be aiming for something special in Aachen. Sweetman’s ascent comes at the expense of the British pair, Scott Brash (down one to fourth) and Ben Maher (down one to fifth), whose CVs show multiple Olympic gold, but nothing of that colour from the worlds.
Just two Canadians rank in the top 100, both of whom are headed to the World Championships: Erynn Ballard (who has been on an absolute tear lately) sits 30th, while new compatriot Kyle King is 83rd.
Longines League of Nations: Team USA still holding off Belgium
With Team USA counting the world number one, plus Laura Kraut sitting just outside the top-10 in 11th and McLain Ward 12th, it’s no surprise that the United States continues to reign supreme in the Longines League of Nations™ Ranking. But the Belgians are nibbling away at their advantage and have now moved to second place. The Germans are also edging themselves closer. Canada is 13th.
Dressage
Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN), the new world number one in the FEI Dressage World Rankings, and her new world leading horse, Mount St John Freestyle, are featured in a dedicated press release distributed here.
Top Canadians continue to be Aachen World Championships teammates Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu riding Jaccardo (27th) and Camille Carier Bergeron (73rd) with Finnlanderin.
Para Dressage: Howard reclaims world number one slot
In what turned out to be a momentary blip in Fiona Howard’s unbroken 15-month run at the head of affairs, the American Grade II athlete has shot right back up from third into pole position. The triple Paris Paralympic gold medallist boosted her tally after she led Team USA to victory in last month’s nine-nation pre-world championship warm-up at Hagen (GER) and, in the process, pushed pretender to the throne and teammate Kate Shoemaker back down to second. Mari Durward-Akhurst (GBR) is up a place to third in the overall rankings. Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing drops two places to fourth ahead of Italy’s Francesca Salvade in fifth.
The five Canadians in the top 100 continue to be Jody Schloss (25th), Roberta Sheffield (41st), Eleanore Elstone (52nd), Laura Hall (56th), and Madison Lawson (89th).
With the Hagen win in the bag, the USA holds onto top spot in the teams ranking, extending its lead over Great Britain. Germany, which finished third in Hagen behind The Netherlands, is back up to third in the team standings. Canada has dropped back down to 11th.
Eventing: No changes at the top
There are no changes in the top 11 of the Eventing rankings, with Tim Price celebrating his third month at world number one going into the championships in Aachen. The New Zealander picked up three top-10 placings in Alnwick (GBR) at the end of last month, including winning the CCI4*-S with Happy Boy. Harry Meade (GBR) remains Price’s closest challenger in second and is the highest-ranked of the five British in the top-10. Boyd Martin is third, followed by two British Toms – Jackson in fourth and McEwen fifth.
For Canada, Jessica Phoenix remains the leader, now in 95th position and flying the maple leaf in Aachen as the country’s sole eventing entry; Waylon Roberts is 100th.
Driving: New chart toppers in Pairs and Singles
There are new names at the head of both the Pairs and Singles Driving World Rankings, but Australia’s Boyd Exell remains the man to beat in the Four-in-Hand division and the seven-time world champion heads to Aachen as one among several favourites for the title. Belgium’s FEI Driving World Cup™ Final winner Dries Degrieck sits second, Bram Chardon (NED) is third, IJsbrand Chardon (NED) and the world’s best female Anna Sandmann (GER) fill the next spots.
Germany’s Lars Schwitte is up from third to take over at the top of the Pairs rankings. And in the Singles, Switzerland’s Mario Gandolfo has deposed former world number one Marion Vignaud (FRA), who sits second. Canadian Kelly Bruder is 8th.
You can check all FEI Rankings here.
~ with files from FEI Communications
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