SWITZERLAND’s Martin Fuchs (27) has moved to the top of the Longines world rankings for the first time in his career, overtaking compatriot Steve Guerdat who held the number one position for a year.

Crowned the European champion in Rotterdam last summer, Fuchs had been hot on the heels of his close friend Guerdat since August and finished 2019 with a string of inspirational performances including his impressive Grand Prix victory on home turf at the CSI5* at Geneva and, a week later, taking the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup leg at Olympia in December, 29 years after his father Thomas won at the London venue.

“It’s fantastic, really great, but I must say that my biggest success as number one doesn’t reflect just one show or one event. It’s a combination of everything,” Fuchs said. “It’s really nice after such a great year in 2019 to start 2020 as the world number one. I am so proud and so fortunate at this young age to be able to have such success already and I am looking forward to a great year ahead.”

Fuchs has achieved podium finishes at the last three major Championships, including individual silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 in Tryon (USA). He finished as runner-up to Guerdat at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Gothenburg last April and was crowned European Champion in August, becoming the sixth Swiss jumping athlete in the 62-year history of the event to claim individual gold, with his brilliant grey gelding Clooney 51, who is looked after by Irishman Sean Vard.

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny had a strong end to the year with a runner-up finish in the Rolex Top-10 Final in Geneva and two five-star wins at London Olympia. He remains the highest ranked Irish rider in the world at number eight.

Steve Guerdat slipped to number two, ahead of Germany’s Daniel Deusser who remains ranked number third and Britain’s Ben Maher at number four.

Ireland now has three of the top 10 riders in the Under 25 world rankings. Bertram Allen is number two, just ahead of Daniel Coyle ranked number three, while Mikey Pender has moved up three places to number 10 after a phenomenal run of form internationally.