The 2021 World Top Five All photos by Libby Law
The FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings and Zone Rankings 2021 have been calculated with Oliver Townend maintaining the top spot
The FEI Eventing Zone Rankings, which are processed once a year and take into account results obtained between 1 January and 31 December 2021, have now reverted to the normal 12-month rolling cycle system ranking calculation following the temporary introduction of the Policy for Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on the rankings in 2020 and 2021
Britain’s Oliver Townend maintains his top position as the World Number One but it is New Zealand’s golden eventing couple, Tim and Jonelle Price, who now sit at Numbers 2 and 3
Jonelle was rapt to be a slot in front of Tim but, true to form, is looking forward to the challenge of pushing further up the rankings.
“I am delighted we are numbers two and three and finally get on the better side of my husband who has been leading the charge for some time now” says Jonelle “The world rankings don’t account for that much, but it is a nice acknowledgement of consistency at the very highest level and at the 5* level and that is what we do it for. I am looking forward to continuing this year and who knows, maybe we can go one better!”
Tim was “super happy” for his wife Jonelle. “Good on her, if I am to be beaten by anyone then she is a pretty good option,” he said. “She deserves every bit of that – to have kids and come back and be so consistent at the top level is very impressive. The next step is for us both to get Oliver Townend (World Number 1) slip around behind us.”
He too is looking forward to the year ahead. “All the horses feel great … and what we do now is preparation for the season and success ahead.”
Britain’s team Olympic gold and silver medallist Tom McEwen holds the fourth spot while another Antipodean is in the top five with Australia’s Kevin McNab shooting into fifth place after a very strong 2021 season.
Germany’s Michael Jung is in sixth place and Gemma Tattersall, CCI5* winner at Bicton 2021, has moved into the top 10 in seventh place.
Britain’s golden girls at the 2021 European Championships, Piggy March and Nicola Wilson, hold eighth and tenth places with the USA’s Boyd Martin, winner of the inaugural Maryland CCI5* in 2021, in ninth place
