German event rider Michael Jung has overtaken British rider William Fox-Pitt to secure the number one spot in the FEI world eventing rankings.

It is the first time the rider has held the position.

In 2012 Michael became the first eventer to hold the European, world and Olympic titles simultaneously after scoring individual and team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

William, who has held the top spot for the past 12 months, drops to second place.

Michael, who was third in last month’s rankings, has jumped into the lead, 58 points ahead of William. Kiwi rider Jonelle Price drops from second to third.

The change in position follows the German’s win in leg three of the FEI Classics series at the Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials. Michael won the event with the mare FisherRocana FST and finished third on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.

Michael will now be looking to defend his European title, at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships (10-13 September).

He has claimed team and individual gold at the past two European Championships (2011 and 2013).

Oliver Townend, in fifth place, is the next Brit in the list after William.

After British domination in the rankings of all three Olympic disciplines in the past year, dressage star Charlotte Dujardin is now the only Brit remaining in the number one spot.

Last month (7 April) showjumper Scott Brash lost his spot as the world number one after a reign totalling 16 months.

Germany’s Daniel Deusser rose from number three to become the new world number one.

Scott now stands at number two, with Ludger Beerbaum, also of Germany, dropping one place to third.

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The eventing World Cup series has been dropped, the FEI announced at its annual meeting on 8 November.

The FEI World Cup was a series of CIC (one-day) events that originally boasted 16 legs and a high-value final, but had fallen to five legs — one of which was cancelled — and no final this year.

It lost its title sponsor, the HSBC banking group, in 2010 and tried a number of formats before being suspended following this year’s series, won by Swiss rider Felix Vogg.

Eventing committee chairman Giuseppe Della Chiesa said the FEI hoped the eventing Nations Cup series — launched in 2012 — would fill its place.

“Federations are buying into the idea of a Nations Cup series that hopefully will be a substitute for the World Cup, which at the moment is not working so well,” said Mr Della Chiesa.

The sole UK leg of the competition was held at Chatsworth International Horse Trials.

It was won last year by Emily Baldwin (pictured). This year’s competition was cancelled due to bad weather.

Organiser Tissie Reason said the World Cup had been a useful marketing tool for the event, but added that the future of the class at the Derbyshire horse trials had been in question.

“Because there was no title sponsor, each event contributed around €4,000 to the prize-pot — you paid for the privilege of hosting it,” said Mrs Reason.

“We felt it was worth paying to keep the series alive and kept hoping it would find a sponsor, but I don’t know if we could have carried on.”

She said Chatsworth hoped to continue to run a CIC*** class with reverse order showjumping and a £5,500 first prize — to be called the Chatsworth Challenge.

• For more on this story, see this week’s H&H (22 November issue)

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Germany’s Michael Jung has won the HSBC FEI World Cup eventing title for the second year running.

Last year’s European bronze medallist achieved the maximum possible points in the accumulator series — the first time the World Cup has been run in this format with no final — by winning two events, Marbach and Strzegom.

He collects US$50,000 (£32,156) for his victory.

“This is wonderful. This [prize money] will now allow me to relax and prepare my top horse, Sam, for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky next month.

“The HSBC FEI World Cup has provided great opportunities for me to prepare three horses to top level. It couldn’t have been better and I’m very pleased and grateful.”

Lucy Wiegersma finished best of the Brits in fifth, collecting US$13,000 (£8,360).

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Oliver Townend and Ashdale Cruise Master were back on form with a win in the HSBC FEI World Cup event at Tattersalls, Ireland, last weekend.

Just five weeks on from a crashing fall at Kentucky, the pair led from the start here.

“It’s what I came to do,” said Oliver, “and I now just want to put the fall behind me. He’s an unbelievable horse and is progressing all the time. I’m so grateful to the owners [Henry and Edna Harding] for giving me the ride.”

Mary King made it a one-two for Britain with second place on the white-faced chestnut Apache Sauce, while Michael Ryan was best of the home side in third on Ballylynch Adventure.

Lucy Wiegersma’s fourth place with last year’s Blenheim winner Granntevka Prince places her second in the HSBC FEI World Cup rankings after six of the 12 events this year.

Australia’s Megan Jones heads the rankings after winning the World Cup event at Kihikihi, New Zealand, and finishing second at Sydney, Australia.

Full report from Tattersalls in H&H this Thursday, 3 June.

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This year’s eventing HSBC FEI World Cup will run without a final, but prize-money will be awarded according to a rankings points list from events throughout the year instead.

The final was to be held at Pau from 27-31 October, but Giuseppe Della Chiesa, chairman of the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) eventing committee, said: “With the World Equestrian Games being so late [30 September-3 October], there won’t be enough horsepower for a good final.”

He admitted that the World Cup final had not been working, adding: “Maybe this will be the solution [after 2010].”

Historically, the World Cup has struggled to attract high quality combinations to a final. Last year’s final, in Strzegom, Poland, had only 31 riders. The three Brits included one who had not competed in a qualifier.

“There’s never been a great push to do the qualifiers as getting to the final was relatively easy,” said Mr Della Chiesa.

He hopes the new system will give riders from nations who wouldn’t travel to a European final more chance.

British-based Australian Paul Tapner, who rode at last year’s final, said: “This is a knee-jerk reaction. It’s disappointing there isn’t a final as we’ve already got a cumulative series in the HSBC FEI Classics [which links five four-stars].

“Last year riders thought a points system combined with the final could work — there could be double points for the final to encourage people to go.”

Giles Morgan, from HSBC, said: “We’ll follow what the FEI feels is best for the sport.

“If the sponsorship wasn’t fulfilling its objectives [we’d be worried], but the development of the sport internationally through the World Cup is the aim, and we’re happy with that.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (11 March, ’10)

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British eventers may have more chances to get to the World Cup final this year as British Eventing (BE) hopes to run two qualifiers in 2010.

Last year, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) only allowed one qualifier per country, but BE regional director Chris Farr said: “The FEI has realised that in nations such as Britain, where the sport is so strong, it would be beneficial to have two World Cup qualifiers.”

There will be a qualifier at Chatsworth (15-16 May), where the 2009 British qualifier was due to take place until the event was abandoned due to bad weather.

BE has also applied to the FEI for permission to hold a second qualifier.

The 2010 BE calendar also boasts a new CIC*** at Houghton (27-30 May).

Mr Farr said the more stringent qualification requirement for CCI***s brought in last year — riders and horses now need a clear cross-country round at a CIC*** to move up, before they could have 20 jumping penalties and still qualify — means riders may need more CIC*** runs.

“We wanted to give riders another option to prove themselves,” said Mr Farr.

“A couple of events put in a bid to hold a three-star, but Houghton is a superb site and it fits in well for riders to take another horse alongside their one- and two-star horses.”

There are 11 new or returning events on BE’s 2010 calendar. These include Burgham, with classes up to advanced (24-25 July), which will receive funding from Northumberland Council.

And Wales has a new CCI*, including the under-18 national championships, with the organisers from the now defunct Chepstow Horse Trials running the inaugural event at Glanusk, Powys (30 June-4 July).

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (7 January, ’10)

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Former young rider European eventing champion Michael Jung (pictured) confirmed his arrival in senior ranks by taking the World Cup title yesterday in Strzegom, Poland.

The 27-year-old German jumped a clear show jumping round to move up from second overnight on his Luhmühlen winner, La Biosthetique-Sam FBW.

After the cross-country, Michael’s fellow German Frank Ostholt (Air Jordan 2) was in line for victory. But when Air Jordan hit the middle part of the treble, Frank dropped to second place.

Michael said: “I came here having won at Luhmühlen and Wiesbaden, so obviously I knew I had a good chance, but so much can go wrong and I was quite nervous today because I wanted to do the horse justice. I’m very happy that it all turned out so well.”

Frank has recently married Sweden’s Sara Algotsson, sister of Linda who won the World Cup in 2003 and 2004, and he and Michael are both on the German team for the forthcoming European Championships in Fontainebleau, France.

Clayton Fredericks and Ben Along Time, World Cup winners in 2005 and 2008, finished third this time.

Oliver Townend looked set to add to his Badminton title with Flint Curtis when he led the dressage on an excellent score of 29.6. But the pair suffered a fall on the flat early on the cross-country, having already cast a shoe at fence four.

This left Ruth Edge as best of the three-strong British contingent. She finished fifth on PC Wilson, who won the CIC*** at Luhmühlen earlier this year.

The other British rider was Hannah Kirkhill, 22, who was impressive on the big stage to finish 15th on Temple Bridge.

Full report on the World Cup final in Poland, plus Mark Phillips’s comment on the event, in this week’s Horse & Hound, on sale 27 August.

RESULTS

1. Michael Jung on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW (GER) 36.4

2. Frank Ostholt on Air Jordan 2 (GER) 37

3. Clayton Fredericks on Ben Along Time (AUS) 41

4. Andreas Dibowski on Euroridings Butts Leon (GER) 44.8

5. Ruth Edge on PC Wilson (GB) 48

6. Marina Köhncke on Calma Schelly 50.2

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The British Open Championship at Gatcombe will now incorporate the British HSBC FEI World Cup eventing qualifier, after its original fixture at Chatsworth Horse Trials (16-17 May), was cancelled due to wet weather.

The qualifier at the Festival of British Eventing (7-9 August) is the last before the World Cup final in Strzegom, Poland (21-23 August).

As well as the Open — in which the highest-placed British rider is crowned national champion — the festival also includes the British intermediate and novice championships, classes that often highlight stars of the future.

For tickets, visit www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk or tel: 0871 789 1423

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (9 July, ’09)

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Poland is to host the HSBC International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) World Cup Eventing final next year.

Although the venue, Strzegom, has hosted several qualifiers, this will be the first time in the competition’s history that the final will be held in eastern Europe.

But it is the timing that is proving contentious (21-23 August) as it is close to several other events.

“Strzegom received high praise from the British riders who competed there in 2008 and it is great that the sport is expanding into eastern Europe,” said Paul Graham, British Eventing (BE) international teams liaison officer.

“But the date it has been allocated falls directly before the autumn run of major three-day events, and it is unlikely that the final will figure in riders’ preparation for these events.

“We have recommended to the FEI that a July date would be more suitable.”

The event is also just two days before the European Championships at Windsor — which makes it an additional concern for European riders.

But the potential date clash has not tempered the enthusiasm of reigning champion Clayton Fredericks.

The Australian told H&H: “Most riders at that level have more than one horse and there’s no reason why it can’t be used in the lead-up to a three-day. The World Cup is all about getting new faces into the limelight.

“It’s a great opportunity for a new champion and we’ve got to share this sport around.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 November, ’08)

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Francis Whittington’s reputation as one of the best cross-country riders on the eventing circuit was solidified when he won the FEI World Cup qualifier at Burnham Market on Sir Percival lll.

Francis was the only rider in the star-studded 39-strong field to achieve the optimum time of 6.46m across country. He finished 9sec inside the time to rise from fifth place after dressage to take the lead. A clear show jumping performance saw him win with a fence in hand on 44.4. He was the only rider in the field to finish on his dressage score.

“The horse went fantastically well today and it’s amazing to beat such a class field,” said Francis. “This was the best dressage test we’ve ever done, but we have been working hard on this all winter. I’ve also been practising setting him up for fences so that he doesn’t waste any time.”

To emphasise the quality of the competition, Ruth Edge finished second on 2007 Luhmuhlen winner, Two Thyme (49.6), and reigning European silver medallists Mary King and Call Again Cavalier were third (49.7), ahead of the 2007 Burghley winners, William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed (51).

Other star names in action included Tamarillo, who finished eighth with William Fox-Pitt; Pippa Funnell and Ensign, who finished fifth on 51.3; and Jeanette Brakewell with Over To You, who were 19th after a steady cross-country round.

After three competitions in the FEI World Cup series, Clift Montgomery (USA), Michael Jung (GER) and Francis Whittington (GBR) lead the rankings with 100 points apiece.

View the results

Don’t miss H&H’s full report from Burnham Market in this Thursday’s magazine (3 April, ’08)

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The World Cup qualifier at the Chatsworth Nissan Horse Trials has received a boost with the late entry of several top horses who were withdrawn from Badminton.

Four pairs who competed for Britain at last year’s World Equestrian Games — Mary King (pictured) and Call Again Cavalier, Daisy Dick and Spring Along, Sharon Hunt and Tankers Town and Oliver Townend and Flint Curtis — are now entered.

Lucy Wiegersma (Shaabrak), Ruth Edge (Two Thyme) and James Robinson (Comanche) have also re-routed from the four-star.

Last year’s winner Clayton Fredericks is on top form after his victory at the Rolex Kentucky Horse Trials, and he will defend his title on The Frog.

With ground conditions foremost in riders’ minds after Badminton, Chatsworth’s organisers report that the track has been harrowed and rolled continuously since March. There has been some rain this week, but two agri-vators are on standby and all the arenas and practice areas have been watered this week.

Badminton final scores

For a full list of entries visit: www.bdwp.co.uk/cha

For visitor’s information visit: www.chatsworth.org/events/horsetrials.htm

View our gallery of images from last year’s event >>

Stay in touch with the latest news and views from Chatsworth this weekend on horseandhound.co.uk

The FEI has made changes to the FEI World Cup eventing series to try and attract more of the world’s best riders. The final will now take place in the spring rather than the late autumn and the prize fund at the final has been increased to €100,000.

Unlike its sister show jumping and dressage finals, the eventing FEI World Cup has received disappointing levels of support in the past, with many top riders choosing to contest other events instead. The FEI hopes that these changes will help the eventing World Cup final to achieve the same levels of prestige as the dressage and jumping finals.

While welcoming the changes, Winnie Murphy of British Eventing is not sure they go far enough to bring the eventing final on to a par with the FEI World Cup finals for other sports.

Murphy told HHO: “I think the riders will welcome a spring final, provided it fits in with the three-day calendar. Horses at World Cup level will be targeting Badminton, Saumur, Bramham and Punchestown so the date will require careful consideration.

“The increase in prize money will certainly make the final more attractive but it’s still along way away from what is on offer at the show jumping and dressage finals.”

The 2007 series is already underway with the first of 19 qualifying events taking place in Bonn-Rodderberg in September. The series includes two new venues with Mansfield (Ontario) in Canada and Minsk in Belarus making the 2007 FEI World Cup Eventing season truly global. Britain will host two qualifying events at Burnham Market (6-7 April) and Chatsworth (12-13 May).

For more information about the series visit: www.feiworldcup.org

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Nicolas Touzaint and Galan de Sauvagere added the 2006 FEI Eventing World Cup to their 2003 European Championship title in Malmo, Sweden at the weekend.

The French had specifically targeted the Eventing World Cup final with some of their best riders and horses and were rewarded by claiming the championship for the first time. Putting the disappointments of the World Equestrian Games behind them, they produced three clear rounds over the difficult final jumping phase to clinch first, second and fourth places.

Second placed Jean-Lou Bigot, riding Derby de Longueval, was the only competitor in the 38-strong field to achieve the optimum cross-country time and the only one to finish on his dressage score.

Arnaud Boiteau on Expo du Moulin, who was clearly none the worse for his fall in Aachen, rose from 21st after dressage to eventual fourth thanks to superb jumping performances.

Germany’s Andreas Dibowski interrupted French domination with third place on FRH Little Lemon. He also jumped clear on the final day to finishing on a score of 53.6.

In a truly international line-up, the USA’s Darren Chiacchia was fifth on Windfall, who dropped two places with two rails down, while Anna Hilton was best of the home side in sixth on Mr Dalby – there were four Swedes in the top 12. Laurence Hunt was leading British rider in seventh on Pheobus.

Australia’s Clayton Fredericks started his title defence strongly with a 35.2 dressage score, but his chances ended with a run-out on Nullarbor at fence 14 on the cross-country course and eventually wound up in 12th place.

As anticipated, the cross-country proved influential, with 12 riders failing to complete. There were only 13 clear rounds and faults were spread evenly around the course, with fence 5, three narrow white seats on a curving line, causing 10 errors.

The most serious incident of the day was a fall for Sweden’s Anna Hasso when her horse Son of a Bitch fell backwards at fence 13, the steps. She was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays.

Anna Hilton said: “The cross-country was more difficult than I expected. You really had to ride. It was very technical and I think my horse was a bit gob-smacked by the crowds and the unusual fences. But that’s Malmö! I’ve had a fantastic weekend.”

A new format was used for the FEI Eventing World Cup final, with the cross-country and jumping phases run on the same day, split by about three hours’ rest and a formal horse inspection. Riders initially wondered how their horses would fare in the final jumping phase, but most looked and jumped well. There were six clear rounds – four of them French.

Results

1. Nicolas Touzaint/Galan de Sauvagere (FRA) 39.8 + 2.4 + 0 = 42.2

2. Jean-Lou Bigot/Derby de Longueval (FRA), 48.5 + 0 + 0 = 48.5

3. Andreas Dibowski/FRH Little Lemon (GER), 42.4 + 11.2 + 0 = 53.6

4. Arnaud Boiteau/Expo du Moulin (FRA) 54.6 + 4.4 + 0 = 59.0

5. Darren Chiacchia/Windfall 2 (USA) 44.1 + 8.0 + 8 = 60.1

6. Anna Hilton/Mr Dalby (SWE) 48.9 + 10.8 + 8 = 67.7

7. Laurence Hunt/Pheobus (GBR) 48.5 + 16 + 4 = 68.5

8. Johan Lundin/Major Tom (SWE) 57.4 + 12.4 + 0 = 69.8

9. Niklas Lindback/Keep Clapping (SWE) 51.3 + 5.6 + 16 = 72.9

10. Andreas Ostholt/Lady Lemon FRH (GER) 48.9 + 17.2 + 8 = 74.1

11. Viktoria Carlerback/Onyx (SWE) 50.9 + 5.2 + 20 = 76.1

12. Clayton Fredericks/Nullarbor (AUS) 35.2 + 41.6 + 8 = 84.8

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British event riders have two opportunities to qualify for the 2004 FEI Eventing World Cup without leaving home this year, courtesy of Chatsworth (15-16 May) and Lulworth (30 July-1 August). The US$80,000 final will take place once again at Pau, France in October.

A top-class field of horses and riders is expected for the Chatsworth qualifier, which carries a first prize of £4,000. Chatsworth will also be an Olympic trial for some British and overseas riders, including the Irish team.

Lord Hartington, president of the Chatsworth Horse Trials, says: “We’re delighted that Chatsworth has been recognised as an important event in the international calendar with the World Cup qualifier.

“The event has always seemed popular with the leading riders and, with the Olympics in sight, we look forward to added interest with some of the selected horses and riders competing here.”

British-based riders will have a second opportunity to qualifier for the series, without the expense of travelling overseas, at Lulworth at the end of July.

William Weld, organiser of the Lulworth Horse Trials, told HHO: “Last year’s qualifier was very successful with Leslie Law heading a strong international field to win. Lulworth has been holding CICs for many years and the event seems popular with riders from France and Ireland, as well as Britain, so we expect another top class field this year.”

The FEI has modified the rules for this season’s World Cup “to encourage the participation of the world’s best riders and make the sport more accessible and exciting for the general public”.

Points range from 100 for a win to 1 for an unplaced completion and will be allocated to the rider, rather than the horse and rider combination as last year. The best three results for each rider will be counted towards the final standings, with a maximum number of riders from each country eligible for the final.

For more information about the Eventing World Cup, visit 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