Steve Guerdat is new world number one showjumper

Olympic champion Steve Guerdat has become showjumping’s new world number one. He takes over from Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, who has held the top spot in the Rolex rankings for the past 10 months. The Swede now sits fourth.

This is the 30-year-old Swiss rider’s first time in the world number one slot and comes just three months after he and 11-year-old Nino Des Buissonnets took Olympic gold in Greenwich. In the past year, Steve has earned world ranking points at 89 competitions.

Britain’s Nick Skelton remains at number two, just three points ahead of German rider Christian Ahlmann.

There are four more British and Irish riders in the top 30. Britain’s Ben Maher has jumped up one place to number 18 in the world, with Ireland’s Denis Lynch remaining at 23rd, Michael Whitaker 25th and Scott Brash has climbed eight places to 26th.

Rolex Rankings Top 10

1. Steve Guerdat (SUI) 2525 points
2. Nick Skelton (GBR) 2403
3. Christian Ahlmann (GER) 2400
4. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) 2378
5. Pius Schwizer (SUI) 2358
6. Kevin Staut (FRA) 2270
7. Marcus Ehning (GER) 2223
8. Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) 2098
9. Marco Kutscher (GER) 2055
10. Beezie Madden (USA) 2041

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.