Reigning Number 1 On Rolex Rankings, Marcus Ehning, First To Wear The Green And Gold Armband

Marcus Ehning is the first lucky jumper to wear the green gold armband, which will now be a tradition for every number one rider as per the Rolex Rankings. The Green & Gold armband will bear the words “Number 1, The Rolex Rankings”. The initiative was launched on December 10 by the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) and FEI. The initiative has been launched to recognize and distinguish the world’s best riders according to the Rolex Rankings. The Green & Gold armband is to be worn by the number one rider at all FEI jumping events. The 2009 Rolex International Jumping Riders Club top 10 finals which were held in Paris marked the beginning of the tradition of the green gold armband.
The Green & Gold armband is not the first of its kind, as there have been various famous items of clothing previously that have adorned sportspersons to honor their excellence in sports. Christian Paillot, the FEI Bureau Member, stated that the Yellow Jersey given at the Tour de France and the Green Jacket given at The Masters Golf are such items that are bestowed upon the best talent in the world of sports. Marcus Ehning received the Green & Gold armband from Rodrigo Pessoa, the President of the IJRC. Marcus Ehning stated it was a great privilege for him to be recognized with the very first Green & Gold armband and hopes to give even better performances in order to wear the band for many months to come. He also stated that the Rolex Rankings were the only true guide and measure of the current standings of a rider and his form. The Green & Gold armband will also help fans distinguish and identify the leading rider at any equestrian event that he or she competes all across the world.

The Rolex Rankings were first launched in 2000 by the FEI as the World Jumping Riders Rankings; later in 2007 the rankings took on their present form. The Rolex Rankings have weekly updates and are officially released at the beginning of each calendar month. These are the only rankings that provide up to date standings of riders as they are released on a monthly basis. The points are awarded on the basis of the FEI events competed at by the riders, in the course of the year. The points are awarded to riders not only for the individual events but also for the team events participated in throughout the year. The number of points awarded depends upon the level of competition as well as the prize money available. Top rated individual rider events include the Rolex FEI World Cup Final, the European Championships’ final competition and the number of 5* competitions. The top rated team events included are the FEI Nations Cup Top League competitions, the Olympic Games team competitions, the FEI World Equestrian Games and the FEI European Championships. The rider ranked Number 1 will get to wear the Green & Gold armband for as long as he or she can retain the top position. Once a rider is knocked off from their Number 1 position they would hand it over to the next top rider.
Posted by Vanessa Puzio on December 17th, 2009 and filed under Rolex Culture, Rolex Events | 4 Comments »





















