CO DOWN show jumper Conor Swail has risen to number five in the Longines FEI World Rankings, released this week.

An incredible run of form over the last 10 months has seen him moved from 96th place in June 2021 to fifth in the rankings for April following more top placings last month. The USA-based rider crossed the Atlantic this week for the FEI World Cup Finals and finished third in the opening competition with Count Me In.

Ireland now have nine riders in the world’s top 50. Darragh Kenny is next, ranked 20th, ahead of Denis Lynch in 23rd. Mark McAuley’s “dream of making it into the world’s top 30 came true” when he moved up an incredible 23 places from 51st to 28th in the month, thanks to a run of excellent form in Florida.

Jordan Coyle (35th), Shane Sweetnam (36th), Bertram Allen (37th), Mikey Pender (43rd) and Daniel Coyle, who jumped 33 places to 50, make up the rest in the top 50. Sweden’s Peder Fredricson continues to lead the way as the world number one ahead of his teammate Henrik von Eckermann in the second spot. Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs holds onto to rank number three, ahead of Britain’s Ben Maher at number four.

Mikey Pender has moved down one place to be ranked third in the Longines Under 25 rankings. Britain’s Harry Charles is ranked first, ahead of Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger. Also in the top 50 for Ireland are Harry Allen (25th), Jack Ryan (30th), and Cormac Hanley (45th).

In dressage, Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is ranked world number one with her great champion TSF Dalera BB. Denmark’s Catherine Dufour has moved up to ranked second with Bohemian, while Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin still holds third with her Olympic bronze medallist Gio, despite the horse being sold.