Boyd Martin’s ascent to the summit of the rankings comes as no surprise after a series of solid performances in home soil over recent weeks in Aiken, Maryland and specially at the CCI5*-L in Lexington (USA), where he finished in second, sixth, and seventh positions achieving three double clears in Cross Country and Jumping Obstacles. He is only the third athlete since 2008 to have three horses in the top ten in a CCI5*-L after Phillip Dutton (USA) in 2017 and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) in 2013.
Boyd Martin is the first USA athlete to reach the top of the Eventing world rankings in 21 years. Kim Severson was the last American at the top in 2004, while David O’Connor did it back in 2000.
“It is a huge honour and privilege to be named the number one rider in the world in eventing. It’s a goal I’ve been chasing for decades now. Many of my idols, who are champions in the sport and riders I’ve always tried to emulate, have accomplished this honour at some point in their careers,” Martin said.
“It’s really a humbling moment, and even though it’s my name on the list, I would not have been able to do it without the incredible horses and owners, as well as my dedicated team working day in and out in the stable. Lastly, to share this with my wife and kids, who have been with me on this journey every single day from the very beginning, is really special.”
Former Aussie
Boyd Martin was of course born in Australia and spent eight years with Heath and Rozzie Ryan’s in Lochinvar from the age of 17. He competed in his first five-star event at Adelaide, when he was 19 years old on a horse named The Flying Doctor. He then won the event in 2003 on the thoroughbred, True Blue Toozac. Boyd was also long-listed for the Australian Olympic team in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Boyd and wife Silva first went to the US in 2006 to compete and ultimately they moved there, with Boyd representing the USA from 2009. He’s since gone on to become a four-time Olympian for America.
Of course, Australian equestrian enthusiasts are still very much cheering on Aussie Boyd and are thrilled to see him reach number one in the world!
End of the British stronghold
Boyd Martin taking over the top spot signals the end of a British stronghold at the top of the rankings. Ever since Tim Price (NZL) slipped from No. 1 back in September 2023, it’s been all British athletes leading the pack – Rosalind Canter, Oliver Townend, and Tom McEwen respectively.
Tom McEwen now occupies second place with 540 points, while fellow Briton Harry Meade has moved up one position to third, securing 537 points. Close behind is New Zealand’s Tim Price with 536 points, highlighting just how tightly contested the race for the top position is set to be in the coming months, with a minimal 7-point difference between Martin and Price
Team Olympic silver medallist Rosalind Canter (GBR) has slipped to fifth place with 487 points, while reigning Individual Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER) has surged six spots to sixth with 421 points after winning the CCI5*-L in Lexington.
Britain’s Laura Collett and Tom Jackson have each dropped one position, now sitting seventh (380 points) and eighth (378 points), respectively, while Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier round out the top 10 at 374 and 360 points respectively.
Source: FEI press release / edited by Equestrian Life
