Beezie Madden of Casanovia, New York has moved up to third position in the FEI/Gandini World Riders Ranking behind 2003 World Cup Winner Marcus Ehning, and Ludger Beerbaum, both of Germany. Swiss rider Markus Fuchs is fourth. This is the first time in recent years that an American rider has been in the top five.

Madden riding Authentic was the highest placed rider at last month’s Olympic Show Jumping Selection Trials in California earning her the #1 position on the Short List for the Olympic Team.

Peter Wylde, who has been living and competing in Europe, has moved up to the 9th position in the FEI/Gandini Rankings. Wylde finished second in the Olympic Selection Trials on Fein Cera and was named the #2 rider on the short list for that stellar effort.

“It’s great to see two of our short-listed Olympic riders in the top ten rankings and it’s a good indication of our chances in Athens” said Sally Ike, Director of Show Jumping for the USEF. “Beezie and Peter are two of the world’s best riders now confirmed by their ranking on the list.”

Debbie McDonald of Hailey, Idaho, who was recently named as a discretionary selection to the Short List for the Olympic Dressage Team, is currently in second position in the FEI/BCM World Dressage Rankings behind Germany’s Ulla Salzgeber and in front of Anky van Grunsven of the Netherlands. American Lisa Wilcox, who is based in Germany and will be vying for a spot on the Olympic Team, is ranked 6th. The Olympic Dressage Selection Trials are being held over the next two weekends at Oaks Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano, California. Because McDonald and her mount Brentina have already been named to the short list as a discretionary selection she does not have to compete in the trials.

ENDS
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