New Zealand’s Tim Price has replaced Britain’s Harry Meade at the top of the FEI Eventing Athlete World Rankings thanks to his second-place finish with Falco at Badminton CCI5* last month.
Tim has 525 points, 39 more than second placed Laura Collett (GBR). Harry, who was third at Badminton with Annaghmore Valoner, is just one point behind in third.
Britain’s Ros Canter, who lifted the trophy at Badminton for the third time with Lordships Graffalo, is fourth with 448 points while USA’s Boyd Martin lies in fifth place on 426.
It is Tim’s first appearance at the top of the rankings since 1 September 2023. He has spent 16 months as world No.1 which puts him fifth in the list of athletes with the most number of months at the top.
‘A very nice feeling’
“This feels very cool, it’s a very nice feeling. It is something to be proud of, to be top of the rankings, and hopefully it lasts for longer than a month,” said Tim.
“Of course, the key to maintaining such a high level of performance is consistency, having good horses that are well prepared and can go and do a good job at the highest level.
“It all comes down to having a great team behind me. Louella, Jess and Miles are my guys and I am very proud of their efforts. And obviously the owners, with all the horses right through, the understanding, the trust that they give to support me with competition selections and the overall plans for these horses to hopefully come to fruition.
“It is just all those things and lots of years of hard graft and learning the little keys to the various horses to get the best out of them. I am very, very happy, and long may it continue.”
Broken bones
Tim’s runner-up placing with Falco at Badminton was no mean feat given the three-time Olympian broke his collarbone in a fall from his bike at a 4* event in the Netherlands in mid-April.
He underwent surgery the same day and took part in the Kentucky CCI5* just days later, finishing fourth aboard Vitali and 16th with Global Quest. A second surgery took place just days before the start of Badminton.
“It wasn’t ideal. I don’t consider myself a tough guy, but needs must and when you hit the ground and break your collarbone about the same time as your horses land in America, I think my options were limited,” continued the 47-year-old.
“I think I owed it to the owners and the situation to at least get myself there and see what I could achieve. It was little steps, step by step and really just a process like that and then to do it again at Badminton after a further surgery.”
Eyes on Luhmuhlen
“I was very lucky to have an old friend in Falco who I know very well. I think if it had been a first timer at Badminton it might have been a different story and not achievable,” said Tim.
I think just the way things were with that horse and I know him so well. I was able to get those (Kentucky and Badminton) done and have a little break afterwards and now I am getting back to business with all the other lovely horses I have.”
Next up for Tim, who is one of two New Zealand riders to have topped the FEI Eventing World Rankings along with Andrew Nicholson, is the Luhmuhlen CCI5* with Happy Boy.
To view the full FEI rankings, click here.
Image © Tim Wilkinson/Your Horse.
