WILLIAM Fox-Pitt has retained his place at the top of eventing’s world rankings list.

The Sturminster Newton star, despite being eliminated after falling from the highly-fancied Parklane Hawk during last month’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials cross-country phase, remains top, with New Zealander Andrew Nicholson second and American Bruce Davidson Jr third.

Australian Sam Griffiths, who won Badminton for the first time and is based in the county at Gillingham, has risen 13 places to 11th, while two other British riders join Fox-Pitt in the top 20.

Oxfordshire-based Izzy Taylor is 17th, and Badminton runner-up Oliver Townend has climbed to 19th spot from 38th.