The Longines FEI Jumping Ranking is the official system used to determine the world ranking of show jumping riders. This guide explains how the FEI points system works, including how results are counted, how competitions are classified, and what it takes to reach the Top 20 in the world.
The Longines FEI Jumping Ranking is the official classification of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), determining the global standing of show jumping riders.
It is based on a technical system that combines competition level, prize money, ranking group, and final result, calculated over a rolling 12-month period.
Understanding how the Longines Ranking works is essential to interpret why certain riders dominate the world’s Top 20 and how factors such as calendar structure, regional access, and season strategy influence performance.
1. Calculation Period: Rolling 12-Month System
The Longines Ranking operates on a rolling 12-month system:
- Points earned between January 1 and December 31 are considered
- New results are added each month
- Points from the same month of the previous year are automatically removed
- The ranking is updated weekly, but officially published once per month
- If an event spans two months, all results are assigned to the month in which the event began
2. How Many Results Count?
One of the most important aspects of the system:
- Only the rider’s best 30 results over the past 12 months are counted
- Only one result per day is allowed
- Only the best result per competition is considered
- Only the top 16 athlete/horse combinations receive points
This makes the Longines Ranking a strategic system: competing more does not guarantee progress — competing better does.
3. Ranking Groups and Prize Money
Individual competitions are classified into groups based on minimum height and total prize money:
Individual Groups
| Group | Minimum Height Total | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| AA | 1.60 m | ≥ €308,600 |
| A | 1.55 m | €164,700 – €308,599 |
| B | 1.50 m | €105,500 – €164,699 |
| C | 1.50 m (CSI3*+) / 1.45 m (CSI2*) | €56,800 – €105,499 |
| D | 1.45 m | €28,200 – €56,799 |
| E | Variable (World Cup & specific cases) | |
| F | Olympic & World Championship Finals (2x A) | |
| G | Young Riders Final (1.2x D) |
If a competition does not meet the required height for its prize money, it is automatically downgraded to the corresponding lower group.
4. Official Points Scale by Position (Top 16)
Only the top 16 finishers receive points, with higher-value groups awarding more.
| # | AA | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 150 | 130 | 100 | 80 | 50 | 30 | 260 | 60 |
| 2 | 130 | 110 | 80 | 70 | 45 | 25 | 220 | 54 |
| 3 | 115 | 90 | 70 | 60 | 40 | 20 | 180 | 48 |
| 4 | 100 | 80 | 60 | 55 | 35 | 15 | 160 | 42 |
| 5 | 85 | 70 | 55 | 50 | 30 | 10 | 140 | 36 |
| 6 | 75 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 25 | 5 | 120 | 30 |
| 7 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 20 | 4 | 110 | 24 |
| 8 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 35 | 15 | 4 | 100 | 18 |
| 9 | 55 | 45 | 35 | 30 | 10 | 3 | 90 | 12 |
| 10 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 25 | 10 | 3 | 80 | 12 |
| 11 | 45 | 35 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 70 | 6 |
| 12 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 60 | 6 |
| 13 | 35 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 50 | 6 |
| 14 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 40 | 6 |
| 15 | 25 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 30 | 6 |
| 16 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 6 |
5. Adjustment Based on Number of Starters
In Groups AA and A, the points scale may be adjusted depending on the number of competitors:
| Points Scale | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 o más | 100% | |
| 25–29 | 95% | |
| 20–24 | 90% | |
| 15–19 | 80% | |
| 10–14 | 70% | |
| 5–9 | 60% | |
| 4 or fewer | No points awarded |
6. Nations Cup and League of Nations
Team competitions award points under a different system, based on performance:
- Double clear rounds
- One clear round and one round with 1–4 faults
- Accumulated penalties
Top-level 5 League of Nations events* can award up to 140 individual points for a double clear performance.
7. Bonus Points in Major Championships
At the Olympic Games, FEI World Championships, and World Cup Final:
- The top three riders in the overall individual standings receive additional bonus points on top of their competition results
8. Key Strategic Factors Behind the World Top 20
The Longines Ranking does not only reward talent.
It is also influenced by:
- Density of the international calendar
- Concentration of AA and A level events
- Access to top-level 1.60m horses
- Regional logistical structure
This explains why Europe holds a structural advantage, with a higher concentration of top-level competitions within shorter travel distances.
Frequently Asked Questions – Longines Ranking
How many results count in the Longines Ranking?
The best 30 results over the past 12 months.
How many riders earn points per competition?
The top 16 athlete/horse combinations.
Which group awards the most points?
Group AA and Olympic/Championship Finals (Group F).
Do points expire?
Yes. Points are removed monthly from the same period the previous year — this is known as points defense.
Does the number of competitors matter?
Yes. In Groups AA and A, the points scale is reduced if fewer riders compete.
