McLain Ward tops world jumping rankings

Two-time Olympic champion McLain Ward is the new world number one in the Longines Jumping Rankings.

Rise to the top

The American overtook France’s Simon Delestre who had held the top spot since March.

McLain is now nearly 20 points clear in the rankings and has recently been named on the short list for Rio 2016.

Elsewhere on the Longines world jumping lis,t Germany’s Christian Ahlmann is close behind in third with GB’s Olympic team gold winner Scott Brash lying in fifth position. Scott held on to the number one position for an incredible two years.

Rio hopeful

Both McLain’s horses HH Azur and Rothchild are on the waiting list to contest in Brazil this summer where the American rider could pick up a third Olympic gold medal.

“We are thrilled for McLain his owners and his support team,” said the USA’s Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “He is an extremely talented rider who produces horses with care and attention to detail. This is wonderful recognition and a great boost for US show jumping”

View the full Longines Rankings here.