Tag Archives: FEI World Eventing Rankings

Eventing/H.T., FEI

Oliver Townend Takes Over Eventing World Number One Slot

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Oliver Townend. (FEI/Libby Law)

Oliver Townend (GBR) has returned to the head of the FEI Eventing World Rankings, with former girlfriend Piggy French making it a British one-two and relegating New Zealand’s Tim Price (NZL), who has held the top spot for the last four months, to third place.

This is the third time that Townend has been world number one, having featured in both 2018 and in 2009. The 37-year-old has won team gold at three editions of the FEI Eventing European Championships, at Pratoni del Vivaro 2007 (ITA), Fontainebleau 2009 (FRA), and Strzegom 2017 (POL).

2019 has been a stellar year for the hard-working Yorkshireman, who won team silver at last month’s FEI Eventing European Championship in Luhmühlen (GER) and also claimed victories at Lexington CCI5* (USA), Burnham Market CCI4* (GBR), and the Irish CCI3* in Ballindenisk.

Piggy French (GBR), this year’s Badminton winner and runner-up at Burghley, is now within 50 points of the top spot, having moved up from third to second place, with former world number one Tim Price (NZL) dropping to number three in the rankings.

Big movers in this month’s FEI World Eventing Rankings are Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE) from 35th to 13th place, Pippa Funnell (GBR) from 47th to 14th, Tomoto Kazuma (JPN) from 29th to 15th, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) from 33rd to 16th, Peter Flarup (DEN) from 91st to 22nd, and Sarah Bullimore (GBR) from 43rd to 25th.

With the final team quota place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on offer at the FEI Nations Cup™ fixture in Boekelo (NED) next weekend, and plenty of other Eventing action over the next month, more changes in the ranking list can be expected.

View full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

About Oliver Townend

Townend started riding aged seven and came to prominence after making his international debut for Team GB in 2005 at the FEI European Championships Eventing in Blenheim (UK).

2009 was a sensational year for him, with CCI4* (now CCI5*) wins at Badminton (GBR) and Burghley (GBR). He reclaimed his Burghley title in 2017, and the following year he won the CCI4* in Lexington (USA).

He has also flown the flag for Great Britain at two FEI World Equestrian Games™, at Aachen 2006 (GER) and Normandy 2014 (FRA).

FEI media contacts:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager, Media Relations and Media Operations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Olga Nikolaou
Media Relations Officer
olga.nikolaou@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 56

Eventing/H.T., FEI

World Champion Ros Canter Debuts as Eventing World Number One

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Ros Canter (GBR) riding Allstar B secured double gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018. (FEI/Christophe Taniere)

Lausanne (SUI), 1 May 2019 – Eventing world champion Ros Canter (GBR) has overtaken compatriot Oliver Townend to claim the number one spot in the Eventing World Rankings for the first time, ending Townend’s 12-month reign at the top of the leaderboard.

Canter (33) is the first female athlete to top the Eventing rankings since fellow Briton Mary King held the world number one slot back in 2011. Over the past seven years the World Rankings have been dominated by four men – Andrew Nicholson (NZL), William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Michael Jung (GER), and Oliver Townend (GBR).

Last year, Canter with her mount Allstar B clinched victory at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and treated fans to one of the most thrilling performances in sport to secure team and individual gold medal for Great Britain.

In 2017, Ros Canter was also part of the gold medal winning team at the FEI European Eventing Championships in Strzegom (POL).

“It is very exciting for me as not many people can say they’ve been world number one,” Ros Canter said following the release of the latest FEI World Eventing Rankings.

“I didn’t think it would ever happen, in the main because I’ve not had a string of horses at the top level. However, we have been improving. We have gone from fairly average results to very competitive in recent years.”

Expecting her first child in July this year, Ros will not be competing at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships this summer in Luhmühlen (GER); however, her sights are set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she hopes to be a strong contender.

View full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

Ros Canter – early career

Ros Canter has been immersed in equestrian sport since her childhood, riding with her parents and her two sisters on her family’s farm in Hallington, England, where she is now based.

Silver Curtis was Ros’ first horse and key to her early career success, setting her on the Eventing path, and leading her to being shortlisted for the British Junior team. She represented Great Britain in the World University Equestrian Championships in Algiers, Algeria in 2008, winning a silver medal.

Ros competed at the World Championships in Le Lion d’Angers (FRA) in 2011, where she scored individual silver. She also took part in 2016 although did not make it on the podium. In 2016, Ros was selected as part of the Ambition Programme, for a behind the scenes look at the Rio Olympic Games.

Awarded as the Best British rider at the 2017 Badminton Horse Trials in England, she was honoured to receive the prized Butler Bowl. Capping off an incredible 2018 season, Ros was named Professional Rider of the Year at the Horse & Hound Magazine Awards.

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Eventing/H.T., FEI

Oliver Townend Is New Number One in FEI World Eventing Rankings

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Photo © Michelle Dunn.

Oliver Townend (GBR) is eventing’s new world number one, taking over from longtime leader Michael Jung (GER).

Jung, reigning Olympic champion, has held top spot since the middle of 2015, but he has now been replaced by 35-year-old Townend following his thrilling victory at the Lexington (USA) CCI4* last weekend.

Townend (35) was briefly world number one in 2009 – a stellar year for him when he won the Badminton (GBR) CCI4* and Burghley (GBR) CCI4* titles – and he now reclaims top spot.

And it comes on the eve of this year’s Badminton, where a Townend victory would see him emulate Jung and Pippa Funnell (GBR) in winning the Rolex Grand Slam for consecutive victories at Burghley, Kentucky and Badminton.

“It’s very good. I like the sound of that!” said Townend, following release of the latest FEI World Eventing Rankings.

“It has been a while. I only had a fleeting spell as number one once upon a time, and especially to knock someone off who has been there for so long is very, very good.”

Jung, who was runner-up to Townend at Lexington, is now at number two, just one ranking point behind, with Tim Price (NZL) third, Gemma Tattersall (GBR) fourth and Ros Canter (GBR) fifth.

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

Michael Jung Returns to Eventing World Number One Spot

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Michael Jung (GER), pictured here with La Biosthetique Sam at last month’s CCI4* Luhmühlen, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™, has jumped back to the top of the FEI World Eventing Rankings. (EventingPhoto/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 3 July 2015 – Michael Jung (GER) is back as world Eventing number one after his brilliant third-place finish with La Biosthetique Sam FBW at last month’s Luhmühlen CCI4* (GER) presented by DHL, fifth leg of the FEI Classics™.

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Jung (32) jumped to the top of the FEI World Eventing Rankings in May for the first time in his career, breaking the one-year reign of William Fox-Pitt (GBR). Fox-Pitt then toppled Jung in June to take back his lead.

Now Jung, the first Eventing athlete to hold the European, world and Olympic titles simultaneously in 2012 after scoring individual and team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Fox-Pitt, the multiple Olympic, World and European medallist, have switched places yet again!

Jung now has a 17-point lead over Fox-Pitt (591 points), with New Zealand’s Jonelle Price up into third (520 points). Germany’s Ingrid Klimke – winner at Luhmühlen and current leader of the FEI Classics™ series – has also moved up and is now in fourth (504 points). Australia’s Stuart Tinney has leapt into the top 10 and is now in ninth from 17th in the FEI World Eventing Rankings.

View full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

About Michael Jung

Jung started riding aged six and came to prominence after making his international début in 2009, when he won the Luhmühlen CCI4* on home-turf in Germany, the FEI World Cup™ Eventing final in Strzegom (POL) and an individual European bronze medal in Fontainebleau (FRA). These successes all came with La Biosthetique Sam FBW, the horse that Jung rode to individual gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) in 2010 and double gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Jung was also part of Germany’s golden team at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy (FRA), where he finished second behind his compatriot Sandra Auffarth in the individual rankings.

Jung has also claimed team and individual gold at the last two FEI European Championships (2011 and 2013). Now, just over three months away from the much-awaited Longines FEI European Eventing Championships 2015 at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands (10-13 September), he will preparing to defend his title.

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Michael Jung Makes Debut at Eventing World Number One

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Michael Jung (GER), pictured at the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Pierre Costabadie/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 1 May 2015 – Michael Jung (GER), who in 2012 became the first Eventing athlete to hold the European, world and Olympic titles simultaneously after scoring individual and team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has jumped to the top of the FEI World Eventing Rankings for the first time in his career.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the multiple Olympic, World and European medallist who has held the world number one slot for the past 12 months, has now dropped to second.

Jung (32), who was third in last month’s rankings, now has a 58-point lead over Fox-Pitt, with Jonelle Price (NZL) dropping down one place to third but holding on as highest placed female athlete in the world Eventing rankings.

Jung started riding aged six and came to prominence after making his international début in 2009 when he won the Luhmühlen CCI4* on home-turf in Germany, the FEI World Cup™ Eventing final in Strzegom (POL) and an individual European bronze medal in Fontainebleau (FRA). These successes all came with La Biosthetique Sam FBW, the horse that Jung rode to individual gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) in 2010 and double gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Jung was also part of Germany’s golden team at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy (FRA), where he finished second behind his compatriot Sandra Auffarth in the individual rankings.

Last weekend, Jung won leg three of the FEI Classics™ series at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event (USA) with the mare FisherRocana FST and also finished third on La Biosthetique Sam FBW. He now leads the standings of this prestigious series which links the world’s four-star events.

European Championships in sight

Jung has also claimed team and individual gold at the last two FEI European Championships (2011 and 2013) and will be looking to defend his title at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships 2015 at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands on 10-13 September (see video here).

View full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

William Fox-Pitt Back as Eventing World Number One

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William Fox-Pitt (GBR), multiple Olympic, World and European Eventing medallist, pictured here at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is now leading the FEI World Eventing Rankings (Jacques Toffi/Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 1 May 2014 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR), multiple Olympic, World and European medallist, and the first British rider to lead the FEI World Eventing Rankings in 2002, is back as world number one.

Fox-Pitt, who also led the world rankings in 2009 and 2010, has a 16-point lead over Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who had led the world Eventing rankings since claiming team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Fox-Pitt (44) represented Great Britain throughout his teenage years, winning individual silver at the Junior European Championships in 1987, Young Rider team gold at the European Championships in 1988 and 1989, and completed Badminton at the age of 20. His first Burghley win five years later established him as a regular on the senior British team and guaranteed him a ticket to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

Olympian

He has gone on to represent Great Britain consistently over the past 15 years, winning team silver at the London 2012 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and team bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

World and European medals

He also secured team gold and individual silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky (USA), team silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2006 in Aachen (GER) and team bronze at the 2002 edition of the Games in Jerez (ESP), as well as six European team gold medals, one team bronze, two individual silvers and individual bronze.

Records

He has won a total of 52 CCIs (international three-day events), including a record 13 CCI4*s, which are the world’s top six international events. He is the only rider to have won five of these top events, including Badminton (2004) and Burghley, which he has won six times in 1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2011 when he became the first rider to win a record six Burghley titles on six different horses. He has also won at Luhmühlen (2008), at Pau twice (2011 and 2013), and has just returned from Kentucky with his third victory (after winning in 2010 and 2012).

Next weekend, with his highly successful horses Cool Mountain, Parklane Hawk and Chilli Morning, he heads to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), which is also the 4th leg of the FEI Classics™, a prestigious series uniting the world’s top six CCI4*s, which also he currently leads.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to be back as world number one,” said Fox-Pitt. “The world rankings are currently dominated by British riders, and it’ll be interesting to see if the British leaders of the world show jumping and dressage rankings, Scott Brash and Charlotte Dujardin, have retained their lead. This shows that our National Lottery funding and World Class Performance Programme is working, which is great news for all British athletes, and especially for equestrian athletes as we head into our world championships in Normandy his summer.”

Full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

The world Eventing championships will take place at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy on 23 August – 7 September: www.normandy2014.com.

For information on the UK Sport World Class Performance Programme: www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/wc-performance-programme.

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45