For the first time in his career, Boyd Martin has claimed the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, after his trio of top-10 finishes last weekend at the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L helped him climb from the 10th position to first in just one month. The achievement has seen him unseat Great Britain’s Tom McEwen, who has held the coveted position since August 2024.

Martin’s ascent to the summit of the rankings comes as no surprise after a series of solid performances in home soil over recent weeks in South Carolina, Maryland and especially at Kentucky, where he finished in second on Commando 3, sixth on Fedarman B, and seventh on Luke 140, jumping clear in both cross-country and stadium on all three horses. He is only the third athlete since 2008 to have three horses in the top 10 in a CCI5*-L after Phillip Dutton in 2017 and New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson in 2013.

It’s been 21 years since a U.S. athlete last topped the eventing world rankings. Kim Severson was the last American at the top in 2004, while David O’Connor did it back in 2000.

“It is a huge honor 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 honor 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,” he added. “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 stranglehold at the top of the rankings. Ever since New Zealand’s Tim Price slipped from No. 1 back in September 2023, it’s been all British athletes leading the pack—Rosalind Canter, Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen respectively.

McEwen now occupies second place, with 540 points to Martin’s 543, while fellow Briton Harry Meade has moved up one position to third, securing 537 points. Price is close behind 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, a team silver medalist at the Paris Olympics, has slipped to fifth place with 487 points, while reigning individual Olympic champion Michael Jung of Germany has surged six spots to sixth with 421 points after winning Kentucky.

See the full FEI Eventing World Rankings here.