Boyd Martin has claimed the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings for the first time in his career — and he is the first rider from the USA to achieve this feat in 21 years.

In doing so, Boyd has broken a British stranglehold on the top spot. Since September 2023, Oliver Townend, Ros Canter and, most recently (since August 2024), Tom McEwen, have been ranked number one.

“It is a huge honour and privilege to be named the number one rider in the world in eventing,” said Boyd.

“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.”

Previously, US rider Kim Severson topped the rankings in 2004, while fellow American David O’Connor did it in 2000.

‘A humbling moment’

Boyd has had a very successful start to the 2025 season, with success on US soil at events in Aiken and Maryland, before finishing second, sixth and seventh at the Rolex Kentucky CCI5* last week.

He subsequently climbed up the rankings from 10th in just one month with a tally of 543 points

“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,” said Boyd.

“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.”

Boyd Martin’s Kentucky results make him the third rider since 2008 to have three horses inside the top ten at a CCI5*, after compatriot Phillip Dutton in 2017 and New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson in 2013.

Second for McEwen

Tom McEwen is now ranked second with 540 points, while fellow Briton Harry Meade has moved up one place to third with 537 points.

New Zealand’s Tim Price has 536 points for fourth, ahead of Ros Canter on 487 points.

Germany’s Michael Jung CCI5* victory in Kentucky last week has moved him into sixth in the rankings list with 421 points. 

Britain’s Laura Collett (380 points) and Tom Jackson (378 points), Switzerland’s Felix Vogg (374 points) and Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier (360 points) complete the top 10.

The full rankings can be viewed here.

Main image of Boyd Martin competing at Burghley 2023 © Your Horse Library/Trevor Holt

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