Ulla Salzgeber leads world rankings
As the world cup season reaches its mid point, Ulla Salzgeber continues her reign at the head of the FEI BCM World Dressage Riders Rankings with 80.615.
Ulla is almost four points ahead of American rider Lisa Wilcox, while Germany’s Heike Kemmer has stolen third place from Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, thanks to strong performances in Maastricht.
Riding Bonaparte, a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding found by her father Joachim as a foal, Heike won the grand prix and the kür in a close contest against local heroine Anky van Grunsven.
Heike is also the leader of the World Cup Dressage standings of the Western European League after four events.
The current strength and depth of female riders in the sport is clear from the rankings, with the top five positions held by members of the fairer sex and only two men inside the top 10.
One to watch
The Netherlands’s Edward Gal, trained by Anky’s van Grunsven partner and trainer Sjef Janssen, has made in impressive leap up the rankings from 26th to 19th place.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Riding Gestion Lingh, this inexperienced but talented combination demonstrated improved levels of concentration and partnership to take second place in the World Cup of Mechelen last month.
Current rankings
1, Ulla Salzgeber (GER) 80.615
2, Lisa Wilcox (USA) 76.824
3, Heike Kemmer (GER) 76.736
4, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (ESP) 76.715
5, Debbie McDonald (USA) 76.305
6, Jan Brink (SWE) 75.669
7, Klaus Husenbeth (GER) 75.530
8, Isabell Werth (GER) 75.384
9, Nadine Capellmann (GER) 74.759
10, Lone Jörgensen (DEN) 74.621
The complete rankings are available on the FEI website: www.horsesport.org
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.