May 2, 2025—For the first time in his eventing career, the U.S.’s Boyd Martin has claimed the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings after climbing from the 10th position in just one month with a tally of 543 points. This achievement has seen him unseat Great Britain’s Tom McEwen, who’s held the coveted position since August 2024. Martin is the first U.S. rider to reach the top of the eventing world rankings in 21 years. Kim Severson was the last American at the top in 2004, while David O’Connor did it back in 2000.
Martin’s ascent to the top ranking comes as no surprise after his series of solid performances on home soil over recent weeks in South Carolina, Maryland and especially and most recently at the CCI5*-L 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky, where he finished in second, sixth and seventh positions achieving three double clears in cross country and show jumping. He is only the third athlete since 2008 to have three top 10 horses in a CCI5*-L after Phillip Dutton (USA) in 2017 and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) in 2013.
“It is a huge honor and privilege to be named the number-one eventing rider in the world. 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 honor at some point in their careers,” Martin said. “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. 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.”
Martin taking over the top spot signals the end of a British stronghold on the top rankings. Ever since Tim Price (NZL) slipped from No. 1 back in September 2023, it’s been all British athletes leading the pack—Team Olympic silver medallist Rosalind Canter, Oliver Townend and McEwen respectively.
McEwen now occupies second place with 540 points, while fellow Briton Harry Meade has moved up one position to third, securing 537 points. Close behind is New Zealand’s Price with 536 points, highlighting just how tightly contested the race for the top position is set to be in the coming months, with a minimal 7-point difference between Martin and Price
Canter slipped to fifth place with 487 points, while reigning Individual Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER) surged six spots to sixth with 421 points after winning the CCI5*-L at this year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Britain’s Laura Collett and Tom Jackson have each dropped one position, now sitting seventh (380 points) and eighth (378 points), respectively, while Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier round out the top 10 at 374 and 360 points respectively.
