Swedish show jumper Rolf-Gӧran Bengtsson has claimed the coveted Green & Gold armband from Canadian rider and Rolex Testimonee, Eric Lamaze, after he was crowned the Number One rider in the world according to the latest Rolex Rankings. Bengtsson is the first ever Swede to become the number one ranked rider in the world.
Lamaze originally held the Green & Gold between July and August 2010, and also between June and December 2011; however, following impressive performances at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping qualifiers in Lyon (first place), Stuttgart (third place) and Geneva (second place), Bengtsson soon staked his claim to the Number One spot.
Bengtsson’s great run of recent form also includes fourth place in the Grand Prix at the CSI5* in Abu Dhabi (UAE); fourth place at the CSI5* in Paris (FRA); and fifth place in the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping qualifier in London Olympia (UK). Not forgetting his individual victory at the FEI European Championships in Madrid (ESP), Bengtsson had a truly remarkable 2011; his achievements were duly recognised when he won Sweden’s most prestigious sports award at the Swedish Sports Gala 2012.
First launched in December 2009 and supported by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), the Green & Gold is worn at all FEI competitions and bears the words “Number 1 Rolex Rankings”.
Since its launch, the Green & Gold has been worn by four riders – Marcus Ehning (GER), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Kevin Staut (FRA) and Eric Lamaze (CAN).
Rolf-Gӧran Bengtsson will be competing at this year’s Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final from 18-22 April 2012 where he will be aiming for his first victory in this pinnacle event in the Jumping calendar.
For details online featuring the Rolex Rankings please click here.
The Rolex Rankings were first launched in 2000 by the FEI as the World Jumping Riders Rankings; later in 2007 the rankings took on their present form.
The Rolex Rankings have weekly updates and are officially released at the beginning of each calendar month. These are the only rankings that provide up-to-date standings of riders as they are released on a monthly basis.
The points are awarded on the basis of the FEI events competed at by the riders in the course of the year. The points are awarded to riders not only for the individual events but also for the team events participated in throughout the year. The number of points awarded depends upon the level of competition as well as the prize money available.
Top-rated individual rider events include the Rolex FEI World Cup Final, the European Championships’ final competition and the number of 5* competitions. The top rated team events include the FEI Nations Cup Top League competitions, the Olympic Games team competitions, the FEI World Equestrian Games and the FEI European Championships.
The rider ranked Number 1 will get to wear the Green & Gold armband for as long as he or she can retain the top position. Once a rider is knocked off from their Number 1 position they will hand it over to the next top rider.
For further information please contact:
Rod Kohler, Revolution Sports
Email: rod@revolutionpr.co.uk