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.
Badminton final scores
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.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion 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.