Dressage-News

May 3, 2021

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

Adrienne Lyle on Salvino made the sport’s biggest jump among the top 30 in world rankings to the American rider’s highest ever career standing of No. 14 as the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) required scoring was extended into a third year to counter the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The partnership of Adrienne and the 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion slotted into the 14th spot based on results in April that included entry into the coveted Grand Prix 80% club and a matching Grand Prix Special score at Wellington, Florida in the first competition for the pair in 14 months. The duo was ranked No.20 for the previous six months but had reached 15th in 2019.

Other moves in the top 50 included Sweden’s Juliette Ramel on Buriel K.H. climbing to 31st from 63rd at the end of March.

Yvonne Losos de Muñiz of the Dominican Republic on Aquamarijn at No. 46 in the world, up from 55th and the first time in the top 50.

With the length of time the best eight scores can count toward ranking points now in its third year instead of 12 months, Isabell Werth last week competed Bella Rose, the No. 1 mount, for the first time in 19 months, as well as No. 2 Weihegold OLD to remain in the top two spots. German team mate Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB are still at No. 3.

Dorothee Schneider and Showtime remain fourth in the world though the pair has not competed since the 2019 European Championships. Helen Langehanenberg and Damsey FRH stayed at ninth though the horse has been officially retired and the FEI declares results suspended. Blue Hors Zack is ranked No. 11 though Daniel Bachamann Andersen moved on to his own business and hasn’t competed the horse since October, 2019 and Nanna Skodborg Merrald has since taken over. Daniel is also ranked 15th on Blue Hors Don Olymbrio though Agnete Kirk Thinggaard took over the ride more than 16 months ago.

The rankings count as performance measurement but also for the top pairs to be placed in a group toward the end of a start list, such as at championships and the Olympics, that some view as preferential.

Adrienne of Wellington and Salvino are among a dozen combinations to go into the final stage of selection for the U.S. Olympic team at an observation event in Wellington next month.

Steffen Peters of San Diego, California on Suppenkasper is the second ranked U.S. partnership at No. 21 in the world, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz of Haymarket, Virginia on Lonoir third at 30th, Adrienne on Harmony’s Duval fourth at No. 47 and Sabine Schut-Kery of Napa, California on Sanceo fifth at No. 50.

The complete standings are available at https://data.fei.org/Ranking/Search.aspx?rankingCode=D_WR.