The FEI World Rankings as of May 31, which will serve as the reference throughout June, have delivered their verdict. And at the very top, nothing changes. Well, almost nothing.
Kent Farrington comfortably retains his white armband as world number one. Behind the American, however, elbows are being thrown. Richard Vogel moves up to second place at the expense of Scott Brash. The margin is razor-thin: 3,311 points versus 3,305. Just six points are enough to change the colour of the medal.
Further down the Top 10, Shane Sweetnam climbs one spot, pushing Nina Mallevaey back to seventh place. Laura Kraut returns to the exclusive circle of the world’s top ten riders, settling into ninth position, while Steve Guerdat is starting to feel the Top 10 exit looming. McLain Ward has already crossed that line, dropping to 14th place.
Belgium holds the line
From a Belgian perspective, Gilles Thomas maintains an impressive fifth place in the world rankings. Nicolas Philippaerts fully capitalises on his victory in the Shanghai 5* Grand Prix, gaining two places to move up to 13th. Abdel Saïd enjoys the same rise and now sits 19th.
Grégory Wathelet completes the quartet of Belgian “Musketeers” inside the Top 30, occupying 28th place worldwide.
The biggest mover of the month, however, is Jérôme Guéry. Thanks to outstanding results in Mexico, Miami and Aachen, the rider from Namur leaps 13 places to reach 80th position.
Koen Vereecke also returns to the Top 100. As a result, Belgium now boasts eight representatives among the world’s top 100 riders.
France also has eight
The French team can match that number, with eight riders inside the Top 100 as well. Nina Mallevaey remains France’s leading rider despite slipping one place to seventh. Julien Épaillard gains a spot and now sits 11th, once again knocking on the door of the Top 10. Simon Delestre continues his climb, rising four places to reach 15th.
You then have to scroll down another 30 places before finding Kevin Staut in 45th.
Further down the rankings, Antoine Ermann remains steady in 50th, while Mégane Moissonnier (59th), Olivier Perreau (96th) and Julien Anquetin (99th) ensure France maintains a strong presence within the Top 100.
With a busy summer of major championships and top-level events fast approaching, the battle behind Farrington, who still holds an advantage of nearly 200 points, is only just beginning.
Find the full FEI world ranking here.
