News
Lottie Fry leads British riders topping FEI world rankings
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Wed, 04 Jan 2023 10:57
World Champion Lottie Fry has began 2023 by soaring to the top of the FEI world rankings, becoming the first Brit to hold the position since Charlotte Dujardin in 2016.
Following their dazzling breakthrough season in 2022, Lottie Fry and Van Olst Horses' Glamourdale have earned the top spot on the FEI dressage world rankings, released on Saturday 31 December. With points accumulated from a superb Nations Cup appearance in Compiègne, their medal winning performance in Herning at the FEI World Championships, and 90% topping appearance at the London International Horse Show, Fry sits on a total of 2120 points with a lead over Denmark's leading lady Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. German compatriot Isabell Werth holds third, whilst team mate and reigning Olympic champion Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl moves to fifth after taking time out for the birth of her second child.
Lottie's debut appearance at the top of these standings marks an exciting return to the top spot for a British rider, a position formerly held by Charlotte Dujardin in 2016. Whilst there's further success to celebrate as Gareth Hughes climbs five places to rank tenth, a worthy mark of a stellar year on board his own, wife Rebecca and Julia Hornig's Classic Briolinca.
The FEI world rankings are now divided into two tables, one for athletes and one for horses. Matching his outstanding pilot, Glamourdale leads the equine rankings alongside stablemate Everdale - Lottie's Tokyo 2020 ride - in ninth. Classic Briolinca is the third British horse to take a spot in the top 10 of the equine rankings, currently holding a well-deserved seventh position.
Junior rider Annabella Pidgley also joins Lottie Fry in achieving a world ranking top spot at the end of the calendar year by heading the Junior tables with her individual medallist mare Espe. The duo spearheaded the British charge at the 2022 FEI European Championships hosted at Hartpury University and College, achieving team bronze, individual bronze and freestyle silver. Rising star Annabella recently made a winning international debut at senior level on board her mother Sarah's Gio, former stable star of coach Charlotte Dujardin.
Congratulations to all British athletes achieving positions in the FEI world rankings following successful 2022 campaigns, with a special congratulations to Lottie, and the team at Van Olst Horses.
