Britain tops world event rider rankings
British event riders dominate the 2002 FEI World Event Rider rankings claiming five of the top 10 placings
A British event rider has claimed the top spot in the FEI World Event Rider rankings for the first time since their inception 12 years ago.
William Fox-Pitt (pictured) heads the FEI leaderboard with 505 points following his Burghley win and placings at Badminton, Bramham and Kentucky.
Points are awardedat CCIs according to the event’s status and the rider’s final placing with the best six scores over the season counting towards the competitiors eventual ranking.
Although points can be accrued until the end of the year, William looks in an unassailable position nearly 100 marks clear of his nearest rival, Pippa Funnell. Leslie Law and Jeanette Brakewell are fifth and sixth, with Polly Stockton in ninth place.
Interestingly, eight of the top 10 riders are based in Britain, with only Australian Phillip Dutton (8) and the injured Bruce Davidson (10) situated outside Britain.
The FEI World Event Rider rankings have been traditionally dominated by riders from New Zealand and the USA, with Blyth Tait winning five times, Bruce Davidson twice, David O’Connor twice and Mark Todd once.
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The closest Britain has come to captured the number one position previously was second place for Mary King in 1997 and Tina Cook in1999. Pippa was the highest placed British rider in last year’s rankings in fourth place.
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Read more eventing news:
- End of an era for Mary King
- Nations Cup win for Britain’s eventers
- Sign up to support Olympic eventing
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A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.