Jumping
Germany’s Daniel Deusser goes into 2017 as the new world number one in the Longines jumping rankings, overtaking his countryman Christian Ahlmann who has enjoyed a lengthy period in pole position. America’s Kent Farrington (third) and McLain Ward (fourth) have relegated Frenchman Simon Delestre to fifth ahead of his compatriot Kevin Staut. Germany’s Marcus Ehning remains seventh while Eric Lamaze, Canada’s Rio Olympic individual bronze medallist, slips slightly from sixth to eighth. There are still plenty of points up for grabs.
Daniel was third at the end of the previous rankings period, and a great run at the London International Horse Show at Olympia, where he won the Grand Prix with Equita van T Zorgvliet, has helped him into the top slot. With 3,076 points, the 35-year-old heads Christian Ahlmann (3,006) by a full 70 points, while Kent Farrington (2,950) just shades McLain Ward (2,940). There has been little dramatic change to the remainder of the top 10, although Frenchwoman Pénélope Leprevost has dropped down a place to 10th, while former world number one, Scott Brash (GBR), has moved up from 13th to ninth.
New Zealand has seven riders in Longine’s top 1000. Leading the pack is Sharn Wordley who competes on the USA Grand Prix circuit and is currently a very impressive 51st. Bruce Goodin is 204th, Samantha McIntosh 367th and Katie Laurie 714th. She is followed by Luke Dee (830th), Natasha Brooks (848th) and Daniel Meech (980th). It’s worth noting that Katie and Natasha have earned all their points in New Zealand.
Eventing
No surprises here: Germany’s Michael Jung leads on 632, well ahead of Australian-born Phillip Dutton (USA) on 517. It will be a while before the others catch ‘Michi’ – the question is whether they can catch him at all!
Australian Chris Burton is third on 484 points, with New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson not far behind on 476. Boyd Martin, also from Australia, is fifth with 456, followed by Sir Mark Todd (455) sixth and Jonelle Price (409) seventh, with Oliver Townend, the best-placed British rider, eighth on 406. Maxime Livio (FRA) and Nicola Wilson (GBR) round out the top 10, with 395 and 394 respectively.
Other New Zealanders featuring are Jock Paget in 14th (357), Tim Price 15th (345) and Clarke Johnstone 27th (295). Caroline Powell is ranked 39th, Samantha Felton 44th, Blyth Tait 50th, Katharine Van Tuyl 77th, Donna Smith 80th, Dan Jocelyn 91st and Australia-based Hayley Frielick 99th.
Dressage
Continuing its world domination of the disciplines, Germany holds the top three dressage rankings. Isabel Werth and Weihegold OLD are in the number one spot, with Kristina Broring-Sprehe and Desperados FRH second and Dorothee Schneider on Showtime FRH third. USA’s Laura Graves on Verdades is fourth with Carl Hester on Nip Tuck fifth. Inessa Merkulova from Russia on Mister X is sixth, with Spaniard Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez on Lorenzo seventh. Isabella Werth is eighth with Emilio 107, and Steffen Peters (USA) on Legolas 92 ninth. Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven on Don Auriello is ranked tenth.
Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten are the highest-ranked New Zealanders (109th), followed by John Thompson on Bates Antonello (125th), Wendi Williamson on Dejavu MH (152nd), Abbie Deken on KH Ambrose (204th) and Jody Hartstone on Ali Baba (313th). Other Kiwis appearing in the top 1000 are Anya Noble (389th), Andrea Marton (595th), Bill Millar (633rd), Vanessa Way (666th), Kallista Field (705th on Prima Park Vincent and 765th on Don Phillipo) and Kate Tobin (788th).
