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New world number one crowned as leading rider knocked off top spot after 33 months

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • US showjumper Kent Farrington has taken the lead in the Longines world rankings, overtaking long-time world number one Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden.

    Marking the end of an incredible era in the sport, Kent climbed above the Swedish multi-medallist in the latest standings issued by the FEI on 6 May.

    Henrik had climbed to the top spot way back in August 2022. He reigned for the longest consecutive period and held the largest advantage over his rivals (593 points over France’s Julien Epaillard) in the past 14 years.

    Kent Farrington has been in flying form this year, most recently landing the Kentucky International CSI5* grand prix on home soil with Greya.

    “I’m a big believer in investing in yourself. No one wants it more than me,” Kent told H&H in a recent interview. “It says a lot when I’m going to put everything I have into my own career. I take a lot of risk.”

    Ben Maher moves up to number two in the world rankings

    Olympic silver medallist Kent Farrington now holds the world number one spot with 3,269 points and Great Britain’s triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher has moved up to second position with 3,064 points, while Henrik von Eckermann drops to third.

    The reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk drops one place to fourth position with 2,928 points with Steve Guerdat of Switzerland holding firm in fifth position.

    The next highest placed British showjumper in the Longines world rankings is Scott Brash, a recent grand prix victor in Shanghai, who has climbed back into the top 30 at 27th. Ireland’s Cian O’Connor is another notable mover, joining the world’s elite by slotting into the top 10.

    This is the second time that Kent has topped the world rankings – he reached the world number one spot in May 2017, taking over from his team-mate McLain Ward and he held that position for a year before Dutch showjumper Harrie Smolders propelled above him in 2018.

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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