After losing the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings nine months ago, Ros Canter has reclaimed the number one position. She replaces Olympic gold medallist and compatriot Oliver Townend, who has held the top spot since October 2023.
Sitting in third last month, Canter’s made an impressive ascent. As the reigning European Champion, she stands out as the only athlete to surpass the 500-point mark, boasting 519 points. Townend follows in second place with 492 points, while fellow Brit Tom McEwen secures third with 454 points.
“I was quite shocked to hear I’m world number one, as it was something that wasn’t on my radar. It’s really exciting news, and I’m thrilled for my whole team because this is a joint effort. I’ve been really lucky to have some fantastic horses in my team,” Ros Canter said.
The latest FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings also highlight other notable performances. Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier has climbed ten places to fourth position with 406 points, thanks to her victory at the CCI5*-L in Luhmühlen (GER) with Hooney d’Arville. World Champion Yasmin Ingham (GBR) rounds out the top five with 389 points.
British athletes have dominated the rankings in recent months, occupying eight positions within the Top 10. However, their dominance has waned just weeks before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Currently, five British athletes remain in the Top 10, with Wills Oakden (370 points) in seventh place. Yasmin Ingham sits fifth.
Among the other top-ranked athletes, Martin Boyd (USA) holds sixth place, while New Zealand’s Jonelle and Tim Price occupy the eighth and ninth spots respectively. Maxime Livio (FRA) completes the Top 10.
Now 38, Ros Canter will be representing Great Britain at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris on Lordship’s Gruffalo. Ros and Lordships Graffalo started the 2023 season with a historic win at Badminton Horse Trials. They become only the third combination since 2008 to lead across all three phases, while Ros become only the fifth rider in history – and third British woman – to win both Badminton and the FEI Eventing World Championship.
Canter was crowned team and individual European champions at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Haras du Pin, France. This marked 34 years since a rider had won both Badminton and a European title in the same year – it was last achieved by Ginny Leng and Master Craftsman in 1989. Ros is also only one of six riders to win both a World and a European individual title.
Canter’s fellow team members for Paris 2024 include Laura Collett, Yasmin Ingham and Tom McEwan.
Katie Gilmour is the host of Poles, Piaffe & Prosecco: the podcast for riders that love to train, laugh and drink prosecco! The podcast is free to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Katie is a Webby and ESMA award winning multi-media journalist with an equestrian focus. She hosts the podcast Poles, Piaffe & Prosecco, which is free to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Katie lives on her family farm in West Sussex with her husband, four children and an assortment of horses, ponies, dogs, cats and poultry.
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