FEI Longines Ranking: the riders that are right at the top

The Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International first marked its arrival on the scene of major international equestrian competitions some twenty years ago and, since that time, year-in year-out, the event has welcomed the world's "very best" show jumpers in its main arena. By "the very best", we mean the reigning champions, of course, as well as – and these are often the same – the riders who are at the top of the monthly ranking, established by the Fédération ÉquestreInternationale: the FEI Longines Ranking. How is the ranking established? How important is it within the sport? We tell you all you need to know about the FEI Longines Ranking!

A barometer for the world's elite riders

The FEI Longines Ranking, which is published at the beginning of each month by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), is basically the equivalent of the ATP ranking in tennis. It takes into account riders' performances over the last twelve months. Steve Guerdat, former world number 1 from Switzerland, had this to say about the ranking during an interview in 2019 with the Horse & Hound magazine: "This ranking is important because it reflects a rider's consistency at the highest level." In another interview with the World of Show-jumping, he added: "When you reach the number 1 spot in the world, you realise that it's due to years of consistent performances."   

Did you say consistency? 

The FEI Longines Ranking takes into account riders' performances in competitions over a rolling twelve-month period. Every month, the FEI updates the points: those acquired 12-months earlier disappear and are updated with the most recent results. In practical terms, a rider that wins a Grand Prix in April 2024 will lose the corresponding points in April 2025. Since the calculation evolves constantly each month, even the legends of the discipline need to keep performing consistently! It'snot just about getting to the top, it's also about staying there! "You have to defend your ranking every week. You can be number one in January and drop out of the Top 20 the following December,"explains Germany's Daniel Deusser, world number one in 2017 and 2021. 

How does it actually work? 

Riders score points according to their results in FEI-certified international events: CSI2*, CSI3*, CSI4*, CSI5* as well as major events such as the Longines FEI World Cup Final, the Nations Cup (CSIO), the European Championships and World Championships or the Olympic Games. The event must offer prize money of at least €28,200 for the results to be taken into account.

The higher the standard of the competition (obstacle size, prize money, prestige of the event, number of starters), the more points are available. Winning a 5* Grand Prix event – such as the Longines Equita Lyon Concours Hippique International or the Printemps des Sports Equestres in Fontainebleau – is obviously among the most lucrative.

Riders can take part in dozens of competitions every year, but only their 30 best results over the last 12 months are taken into account. This means riders who compete in a lot of competitions do not gain any particular advantage. Bonus points are awarded to riders who finish on the podium at major events, notably the Olympic Games, the World Championship, the European Championship, the Pan-American Games or the Longines FEI™ World Cup Final. These bonus points can shift the ranking and help push a rider to the very top. In 2018, Switzerland's Martin Fuchs, world number one in October 2022, explained in an interview with the Fédération Équestre Internationale: "The major championships are the moments when everything can change. Winning a medal can transform your career." 

Longines Equita Lyon, a springboard to the top

At the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International a total of seven events count towards the precious Longines ranking: the majority of the CSI 5* events, the Longines Grand Prix, the EquitaMasters presented by Hermès Sellier, the Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix and two CSI 2* events. The rider that wins the Longines FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix earns 150 points, which can be enough to push the rider up several places in the following month's rankings; this was the case in Lyon 2024, when Germany's Richard Vogel managed to earn the most points, over the rolling 12 month period. In 2023, during an interview with the Fédération Equestre Internationale, Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann, world number 1 for 33 consecutive months between August 2022 and April 2025, said: "Being number one is an incredible feeling. Becoming world number one in the Longines rankings is the proudest achievement of my career. It is a reward that not only reflects my results, but also the steadiness of my horses and my team. This requires a great deal of consistency, and Lyon is always a key moment in the season." 

Since the Longines FEI ranking was created in 2002, two French riders have reached the top spot: Kevin Staut from August 2010 to April 2011 and Simon Delestre in 2016. Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is the only woman to have topped the rankings (for a period of 24 months from 2004). The American rider Kent Farrington has been number one in the ranking since May.