Gemma Tattersall is the leading lady rider in the FEI World Rankings
With riders aiming to peak their performances at Rio, there have been some notable moves in the FEI World Eventing Rankings in the month of June
The top two places are still held by Germany’s Michael Jung and Australia’s Chris Burton with Michael way in front on 599 and Chris on 457; while Michael is a certainty for the German team the Australian team is yet to be announced but it is unlikely that Chris Burton would not get a berth on one of his two nominated horses.
In third place is another rider already nominated to a team – Phillip Dutton for the USA – who has moved up from fourth place into third in June while the previously third placed rider and yet another on a team, Sir Mark Todd has moved to sixth place.
There are four big moves in the top ten worth noting; New Zealand’s travelling reserve for Rio, Tim Price has moved from 10th to fourth place, Gemma Tattersall is now the top ranked lady rider in the world in eighth place (up from 11th), the prolific Oliver Townend is in 10th (up from 17th) and the jump of the month – literally – goes to Andrew Nicholson who has zoomed up from 66th to ninth place! Go Team Nicholson!
After an easy start to the season, Andrew seems to have hit his stride again with four top ten placings in the past month; a win and seventh on Jet Set and Teseo in the CCI3* at Bramham plus fifth and seventh on Qwanza and Perfect Stranger in the CCI4* at Luhmuhlen
Andrew Nicholson and Jet Set IV win at Bramham
At Bramham Andrew commented “I’ve been away for a few months and to win here after the absence feels great. It’s been such a team effort to come this far. I owe so much to surgeon Jeremy Reynolds who fixed me and of course my wife Wiggy who has stood by my through everything. It’s so tough for her, after all, I’m back doing the sport which nearly ruined me. My owners have been incredible while I’ve been off and they’ve supported me so much. I can’t thank the team who’ve got me here now”
The new top lady rider Gemma Tattersall also had a very good event at Bramham, winning the CIC3* section on Christopher Stone’s 12-year-old mare Chico Bella P, following up a great performance at Badminton on Arctic Soul and looking a certainty for the British team in Rio
Australia now has eight riders in the top 50; Chris Burton (2), Shane Rose (5), Sonja Johnson (15), Andrew Hoy (16), Hazel Shannon (24), Ryan Wood (27), Stuart Tinney (47) and Paul Tapner (49). Tegan Lush (60) and Judy Clarke (75) also moved into the top 100 thanks to their performances at the Melbourne International 3 Day Event
