The Dutch rider, who won silver and bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, lead the world dressage rankings by 97 points ahead of 2013 FEI World Cup champion Helen Langehanenberg of Germany and her horse Damon Hill NRW, who follow in second place with 2,802 points.

Last month's world number one Charlotte Dujardin of Britain, a double Olympic gold medallist at London 2012, and Valegro drop to third place with 2,536 points.

Olympic bronze and triple World Equestrian Games gold medallist Edward Gal of the Netherlands and his most recent mount Glock's Undercover remain in fourth position on 2,518, while Langehanenberg's London 2012 teammate Kristina Sprehe and her horse Desperados follow in fifth place with 2,494.


The remaining top ten athletes have maintained their positions in the world rankings since last month with Sweden's Tinne Wilhelmsson-Silfvén and Don Auriello; German Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH; Swede Patrick Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC; Italy's Valentina Truppa and Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno; and Anna Kasprzak of Denmark and Donnperignon completing the line up.

Britain's Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi are the biggest movers in the top 40, jumping to 31st place from 159th following their Grand Prix Special Victory at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

After being reserve rider for the British Olympic team last year, Eilberg will now make his senior European Championships debut in Herning, where he will join Olympic champions Dujardin, Carl Hester and Laura Tomlinson.

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