The American star’s achievement is decades in the making…
In-form US eventer Boyd Martin says a decades-long dream has finally come true after becoming World No.1 for the first time.
Martin leapt from 10th position to the top spot in the latest FEI Eventing World Rankings following his second-placed finish with Commando 3 at the CCI5*-L in Lexington (USA). In what was an extraordinary performance in Kentucky, the 45-year-old also finished sixth and seventh with Fedarman B, his Paris 2024 mount, and Luke 140.
The four-time Olympian – who replaces Great Britain’s Tom McEwen at the top of the World rankings – described the achievement as a “humbling moment”. Martin becomes the first US athlete to be Eventing’s World No.1 since Kim Severson some 21 years ago.
“It is a huge honour and privilege to be named the No.1 rider in the world in Eventing,” Martin said. “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.
“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.”
New career high
Reaching No.1 is a new career milestone for Martin. His greatest championship results to date came with Tsetserleg TSF, the horse who helped him and the USA to Team silver at the FEI World Championship 2022 in Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA).
Martin and Tsetserleg also won Individual and Team gold at the Pan American Games 2019 in Lima (PER). Four years earlier, in Toronto (CAN), Martin won Pan Am Team gold with Pancho Villa.
Australia-born Martin has won two 5* events during his long career. He triumphed in Adelaide (AUS) in 2003 and won the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill (USA) in 2021.
Recent successes
At Lexington, Martin became only the third athlete since 2008 to have three horses in the top 10 in a CCI5*-L, after Phillip Dutton in 2017 and Andrew Nicholson in 2013.
Martin also recently won the CCI4*-S at Aiken (USA) with Commando 3 and secured three of the top four places. Meanwhile, three top 10 positions were claimed at the CCI3*-S in Elkton (USA).
Speaking after the Lexington showpiece, Martin indicated that he believes he can hit new heights with Commando 3 – known in the stable as “Connor”.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I was in for with him,” Martin said. “He was my backup for Paris, and he didn’t do a long format last year. And, if I’m honest, I kind of questioned his guts and heart to get through an epic competition like this.
“But after going through this weekend, I think he could be a career-changing horse. He has a lot of quality, he’s beautifully bred and he’s strong in all phases.”
Jung on the up
The top of the World rankings could not be closer with just seven points separating new No.1 Martin and fourth-placed Tim Price of New Zealand. McEwen, who had been top of the rankings since August 2024, drops to second place, with his fellow Briton Harry Meade moving up one position to third.
Victory in Lexington has helped Michael Jung surge up to sixth in the World rankings, behind fifth-placed Rosalind Canter of Great Britain. Two more Britons, Laura Collett and Tom Jackson, have each dropped one position, now sitting seventh and eighth, respectively. Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier round out the top 10.
Martin taking over the No.1 spot signals the end of a British stronghold at the top of the rankings. Ever since New Zealand’s Tim Price slipped from No.1 back in September 2023, it has been all British athletes leading the pack – Canter, Oliver Townend and McEwen respectively.
