British riders top all Olympic world rankings

Great Britain heads the world rankings in all 3 Olympic disciplines simultaneously for the first time. Eventer William Fox-Pitt joins showjumper Scott Brash and dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin at the top of their respective sports. William last held the number 1 spot in 2010.

William’s win at last weekend’s Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (24-27 April) lifted him 16 points above New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who had headed the rankings since claiming team bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to be back as world number 1,” said William. “The world rankings are currently dominated by British riders… which shows our National Lottery and World Class Performance Programme is working.”

Showjumping is in particularly good health leading up the FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games, with Ben Maher vying with Scott for the top spot.

There is just 1 other eventing Brit in the top 20 (Nicola Wilson). Meanwhile, the US has 3 in the top 10.

But British eventers will be out in force at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next week (8-11 May) to collect valuable FEI points.

William will be defending not just his number 1 ranking, but also his leading position in the FEI Classics series combining the world’s 6 CCI4*s. He has 3 horses entered — Cool Mountain, Parklane Hawk and Chilli Morning, although he will have to choose which 2 to compete.

Do you think William can add Badminton to his Kentucky win and set up a potential Rolex Grand Slam? H&H’s official betting partner, Paddy Power, has him as 4-1 favourite currently ahead of Andrew Nicholson on 11/2, with Vittoria Panizzon and Sir Mark Todd both on 7/1

Sign up for a new Paddy Power account today, bet £5 on Badminton and get a free £20 bet. Place your Badminton bet now

Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.