<p dir="ltr">Team GB will head to the European Championships as the ones to watch and with good reason. Fresh off their dominance at the Paris Games and boasting a nominated entries list stacked with talent, the Brits are likely to be the firm favourites. With so many combinations showing top-level form, and an abundance of horsepower and experience to draw from, it is a tough task to choose who should make the final team.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is where EquiRatings can help. We&rsquo;ll look at their top High Performance Rating in 2025 in an attempt to make sense of who should make the team.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">What is the High Performance Rating (HPR)?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The HPR is an EquiRatings metric designed to measure the true quality of a performance. It accounts for key variables such as the strength of the field, winning margins, and course difficulty. This is important because not all wins or scores are created equal &mdash; HPR shines a light on those standout performances that rise above the rest, offering an objective gauge of which horses are delivering their very best results at the right time.<br><br></p>
<hr>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 dir="ltr">Who is on the British nominated entries list for the European Championships and who is performing at their best right now?</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/4b30c970-4e73-4a65-a121-2e8564c0fbfd.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="1"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo hardly need an introduction. Not only does their 108 from Badminton stand as the top British performance this season, it&rsquo;s also the joint-best HPR of 2025 &mdash; equalling Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH&rsquo;s effort at Kentucky. Despite leaking a few marks in the dressage, they moved from fourth to first by finishing on their dressage score. As reigning European individual champions, this partnership is nearly a sure bet for the team.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/542e22f2-8535-4033-84b4-06634c3799bc.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="2"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Cooley Rosalent, who tipped the pole that handed Ros the Badminton win, has posted two HPRs of 107 in her only two international outings this season. Both Badminton and the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market earned this impressive score &mdash; making them the highest-rated performances of Oliver Townend&rsquo;s career. Even with nine five-star wins under his belt since 2008, these two efforts with Rosalent stand out on quality alone.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-96ef85fd-7fff-dc0c-2d23-d54f157a1af1"></strong><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/467f4b99-edd2-45b6-9c8e-5e232ca388b5.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="3"></p>
<p dir="ltr">London 52 finished on a score of 20.9 at Bicton&rsquo;s CCI4*-S at the end of May, earning a 106 HPR. This is one of those occasions where a high HPR aligns with an exceptionally low finishing score &mdash; it&rsquo;s the third-best finishing score on British soil since 2008. Who holds the top two spots? None other than Laura and London 52 themselves. The pair&rsquo;s ability to produce such low scores in the first phase is exactly the edge you want heading into a European Championships, and with this level of form, they are serious contenders for individual gold as well.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/ae6ddfce-2d52-4a4f-8ef7-bee88b31d54b.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="4"></p>
<p dir="ltr">JL Dublin and Tom McEwen scored an impressive 106 when they won the CCI4*-S at Thoresby Park earlier this year. How good is a 106? Well, that&rsquo;s exactly the HPR that JL Dublin earned when winning the European Championships in 2021 &mdash; then under Nicola Wilson &mdash; underlining that this horse has what it takes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/93af2865-b6e6-4810-9464-baceb4084e9a.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="5"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Everyone has heard of Cola, right? But Its Cooley Time&rsquo;s HPR that is near the top of the list. Bubby Upton impressed at the horse&rsquo;s first CCI4*-L at Bramham, finishing on a dressage score of 24.2 &mdash; and earning a strong HPR in the process. Still only 10 years old, this horse has already produced 6 podiums in 13 starts. It&rsquo;s exactly the kind of exciting talent you&rsquo;d want to send to a European Championships, gaining vital experience with an eye on future goals like Aachen 2026 and even LA 2028.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/000168f0-0e50-432b-993a-89c5c958d360.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="6"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The beautiful unicorn &mdash; sorry, horse &mdash; Halo earned a 102 HPR when he won the CCI4*-S at Belsay in May. That performance was not only their best this year but their best ever together, proving this partnership is still on the rise. Despite Luhm&uuml;hlen not going to plan, their 102 at Belsay actually rates higher than Ros Canter's Luhm&uuml;hlen winning HPR, underlining that they&rsquo;re still absolutely in the mix to produce something special at both championship and five-star level.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/fd9405f6-81a6-4009-894e-29d6bec41352.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="7"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Izilot DHI scored a 101 HPR with his Luhm&uuml;hlen win just two weeks ago, firmly putting himself in the mix for selection. If Ros opts to defend her Burghley title with Lordships Graffalo, bringing a two-time five-star winner like Izilot DHI is no back-up plan. He is one of the most talented horses in the sport right now, quirks and all.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/16fb8092-aa74-49e3-ae9e-5b01f2d63920.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="8"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Valmy Biats&rsquo; top-rated performance this year came at Thoresby's four-star, where they placed 5th. Their Badminton result also caught our (and seemingly, the selectors) eye &mdash; finishing 5th at one of the toughest five-stars on the calendar. These two performances prove the<a href="https://news.equiratings.com/stories/the-teen-queen-emily-king" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Queen Teen</a> is a serious contender.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/6a0bccc3-da65-4222-bcab-0d849dc00ac7.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="9"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Cavalier Crystal &mdash; the finish-on-dressage machine &mdash; posted a 99 HPR with her 4th-place finish at Badminton this year. It matches Harry Meade&rsquo;s best-ever performance according to HPR (since 2008). Can he break the 100 barrier? Harry Meade is a master at peaking at exactly the right moment, so if he makes the Europeans, you wouldn&rsquo;t bet against him doing it there for the very first time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/26189bff-7757-47af-9eea-bf2a74973675.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="10"></p>
<p dir="ltr">The good thing abut Harry having two horses on this list means that no matter what happens he is a serious contender for Burghley &mdash; and if Diarmuid Byrne has anything to say on this, it is that Harry will win it. Et Hop Du Matz earned a 98 HPR for his podium finish at Kentucky, a big jump up from his previous best of 89. That kind of progress proves this 11-year-old is still on the rise and has plenty more to come.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/4b313819-9fe8-4272-a27b-e728907d24f9.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="11"></p>
<p dir="ltr">MHS Seventeen posted a 97 HPR with a fifth-place finish at Belsay, setting the tone with a 26.9 dressage &mdash; exactly the kind of score you want at a European Championship. Being Ros&rsquo;s third horse on this list means it&rsquo;s less likely we&rsquo;ll see them at the Europeans this time around, but it&rsquo;s still encouraging to see new talent breaking through and earning a place on the radar.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/402afb60-963f-4ac4-ba24-901595ab8258.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="12"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Gemma Stevens made the trip over to Millstreet worthwhile when she delivered a 97 HPR-winning performance with Flash Cooley in the CCI4*-L. This makes them one of the few combinations on this list to post their best score at a long-format event &mdash; a noteworthy observation, given that the European Championship will also take place over the long format.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/79f9019c-59d1-4e78-9ddf-bdef3fda1334.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="13"></p>
<p dir="ltr">It feels strange to see the four-time five-star winner this far down the list &mdash; but let&rsquo;s not overlook that a 97 HPR is still enormous, and a score most of us could only dream of. Will this ever-consistent campaigner earn one more shot at representing Team GB or is he going to be overshadowed by his younger stablemate Cooley Rosalent?</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/4d0edc94-6ce2-4474-b705-d80190409dbb.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="14"></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Cooley Mosstown earned a 96 HPR when he finished second at Bramham CCI4*-L &mdash; just behind Bubby Upton and Its Cooley Time &mdash; at his first long-format four-star. Previously a podium finisher at Blenheim last year and boasting a perfect jumping record across country, not only that, but the horse is fast. He looks like one of the sport&rsquo;s rising stars at only nine-years old.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/0babf328-3ed8-4277-8fc4-2efd7d10e2f9.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="15"></p>
<p dir="ltr">D.Day has posted two 95 HPRs from two international runs this year, proving he&rsquo;s still on top form after his Pau five-star win last season. With two horses with strong form in the mix, it would be great to see Caroline go to her first European Championship.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/13f547c9-4027-4d10-abbe-146e8d16fa98.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="16"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Tom McEwen's second horse on the list is Brookfield Quality who completed Kentucky 5* on a 92 HPR. Although the combination's 5th place was impressive, he is probably still likely to be th back up to JL Dublin.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/f2c027a0-9904-4fda-839d-68a34109be91.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="17"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Cola has had just one international run this year &mdash; a top-10 finish at Badminton earning him an 89 HPR. With that being his only outing so far, all eyes will be on what his plan is heading into the Europeans. He&rsquo;s undoubtedly a horse with championship credentials, but with stablemate Its Cooley Time&rsquo;s recent win and standout 102 HPR, Cola might have a bit of competition for the spotlight.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/18ece0d2-946f-4a24-a2b2-62fd6258f980.png?width=2000&amp;height=600" alt="18"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Rehy DJ's fifteenth place at Thorseby was good enough for an 89 HPR.&nbsp; Having been the fourth rider on the three-man Olympic team, Yas must be determined to ride at the Europeans this year. With previous HPR's into the 100s, they haven't quite hit the top of their form this year. But you know what they say about peaking too early...</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
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<p data-start="0" data-end="206" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">With Team GB spoilt for choice and a roster full of proven talent and impressive performances, the stage is set for an exciting European Championships &mdash; and whoever gets the call-up, they will be a serious threat to the field.</p>
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<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h2>
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Main

<p>Germany was the team to beat. Now, following the withdrawal of their horse on form, the European Championship leaderboard looks very different. The question on everyone&rsquo;s mind: is this the moment Belgium take control?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Messi Out, and Germany Feels It</h2>
<p>Just days after retiring during the Longines League of Nations in Rotterdam, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann confirmed that Messi van&rsquo;t Ruytershof will not be heading to La Coru&ntilde;a. In a heartfelt post, she wrote: <em>&ldquo;Messi is not right and needs a break&hellip; we&rsquo;ll give him all the time he needs.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>From a performance perspective, the impact is immediate. Messi had the strongest recent form of any of Germany&rsquo;s nominated combinations with 13 clears at five-star 160 level from 18 rounds (71% clear rate) in the last 12 months. With the loss of Messi, Germany&rsquo;s win chance drops from 23% to 14%, and their podium chance from 53% to 41%. They still bring class in <strong>United Touch S</strong> (775) and potentially <strong>Iron Dames My Prins</strong> (760) but without Messi, the team loses its statistical spearhead.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/122699ea-73e5-475a-a672-956d801e681e.png?width=2160&amp;height=1350" alt="How the Team Win Chances Changes After Germany&rsquo;s Loss of Messi Van&rsquo;t Ruytershof"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Belgium Take the Lead</h2>
<p>Belgium had already been lurking near the top of the projections. With all their key contenders in play, they now step forward as outright favourites. Their win probability rises to 20%, and their podium likelihood reaches 47%.</p>
<p>This isn&rsquo;t just about Messi&rsquo;s absence, it&rsquo;s about Belgium&rsquo;s consistency and strength in depth. Across their top four combinations, Belgium brings a blend of experienced championship performers and horses trending upward in form.</p>
<p>Belgium was the first nation to announce their definite team for the Jumping European Championships in La Coruna.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/9c9c5355-48b7-4cdc-b671-b4161686a170.png?width=1412&amp;height=860" alt="Hn M Zk the Belgian Team for the 2025 Jumping European Championships in La Coruna"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ireland on the Rise Too</h2>
<p>The domino effect of Messi&rsquo;s withdrawal doesn&rsquo;t stop with Belgium. Ireland quietly becomes one of the biggest movers, climbing to an 18% win chance, now just two percentage points behind Belgium.</p>
<p>With potential rising stars like<strong> ESI Rocky</strong> &amp; <strong>Qonquest de Rigo</strong> who will likely be joined by seasoned competitors such as Darragh Kenny, Cian O&rsquo;Connor and/or Denis Lynch, Ireland&rsquo;s nominated squad holds both depth and promise. Their collective upward trend has them primed to capitalise if any other favourites falter.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Messi&rsquo;s early exit from the European Championship story changes everything. The individual favourite is out and the team landscape is suddenly more open than ever. As team selections approach and La Coru&ntilde;a draws closer, the numbers are shifting, and so is the pressure.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

La Coruña 2025: Is Germany’s Loss Belgium’s Gain?

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">There has been no shortage of superstars in Germany over the last 5 years and it is easy to be drawn to others - Stargold with Ehning at Aachen in 2023, DSP Chakaria with Thieme at the Europeans and then Aachen, Checker 47 and Kukuk in Paris.</p>
<p>With those combinations tuning heads, it might have been easy to overlook this partnership. Quietly, Messi Van 't Ruytershof and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermannthey have been building one of the most impressive runs of form in the sport over the last two years. They now head to Rotterdam this weekend for the final rehearsal before the Europeans where the numbers predict them for gold.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">European Championship Favourites and 2025 1.60 form.</h2>
<p>According to early EquiRatings Predictions, Messi Van 't Ruytershof enters the European Championships with a 10% win chance - the highest of any combination.</p>
<p><br><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/4c009c4d-fe88-441b-ac54-974f2c5fc4bb.png?width=594&amp;height=772" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 20 135221"></p>
<p>This horse has 42 five star 1.60 rounds in his career and 26 clears, a career top-level clear rate of 62%. Of horses in Rotterdam this weekend with 10 or more rounds; this is the highest clear rate.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In terms of recent form, this year alone, Messi Van 't Ruytershof has 5 clears from 6 rounds at 1.60. It&rsquo;s on a par with Cian O&rsquo;Connor&rsquo;s Iron Man - also in Rotterdam. Don&rsquo;t miss the recent form of Adrian Schmid and Nina Mallevaey also.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/575fbf61-1177-410a-855a-e33bd9d2a80e.png?width=1017&amp;height=954" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 20 135130"></p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Individual European Challengers</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The European Championships won't roll over easily. Point Break and Ben Maher (GBR) lead the chasing pack with a 7% win probability, backed by serious credentials. The Swedish stallion ranks as the world's <a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current">second-highest rated horse</a> on Elo behind only King Edward, and his trajectory continues upward. Their numbers speak volumes: a 65% clear rate over the past twelve months at the 5-star 1.60m level and a World Cup qualifier victory in Lyon.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ermitage Kalone and Gilles Thomas (BEL) have an early prediction of 5% individual win chance, though their <a href="https://www.equiratings.com/top-horses/jumping-current">Elo rating</a> matches Messi's - suggesting the gap between the top contenders remains razor-thin. Elektric Blue P and Max K&uuml;hner (GER) also have a 5% win chance while the ten year old Casual DV Z ridden by Pieter Devos (BEL) has a 4% win chance, having jumped clear in 4 of their 9 five-star 1.60 rounds this year (44%).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The German Team&rsquo;s Depth</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Behind the statistical leader stands a German squad overflowing with options. The <a href="https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Nominated%20Entries%20CH-EU-S%202025%20-%20A%20Coru%C3%B1a%20%28ESP%29_V1_0.pdf">nominated entries</a> for the Europeans highlight just how strong this team is, with multiple combinations boasting standout records and serious selection potential.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/815f6c98-06e8-47fd-acdc-00fdf5cf5dcc.png?width=1246&amp;height=775" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 20 135045"></p>
<p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-da47ec51-7fff-933d-e0dc-2f553086c083"></strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Sophie Hinners has three choices; Iron Dames Singclair (four from four clears in 2025), Iron Dames My Prins, a World Cup leg winner, and Iron Dames Combella, who was previously ridden by Shane Sweetnam.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Christian Kukuk's Just Be Gentle impressed at Aachen, while J&ouml;rne Sprehe's Sprehe Hot Easy jumped double clear in Abu Dhabi contributing to Germany&rsquo;s win in the opening leg of the Longines League of Nations last year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Early predictions show the German team have a 23% win chance, with Messi Van 't Ruytershof no longer being considered the support act to Germany's more celebrated combinations but as the team's leader. Germany&rsquo;s selection for the other team spots will be as competitive as the Championship itself.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Rotterdam: The Final Rehearsal</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Messi Van 't Ruytershof and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann line up in Rotterdam this weekend for what could be their final major outing before La Coru&ntilde;a. It&rsquo;s a key chance to fine-tune their partnership and make a statement to their European rivals. The German team enter with a 23% win chance today - the exact same as their European Championships prediction - making this weekend an important preview of what&rsquo;s to come.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Who is going to win the European Championships?</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-16ab0de4-7fff-48bd-3c0c-da4a202ad040"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-1fb0e9e2-7fff-7f25-fbd3-dac5a8cd6d72"></strong><br><br></strong></p>

Messi Van 't Ruytershof’s Rotterdam Rehearsal for European Gold

<p>The pressure is on in Rotterdam. Home ground advantage, Olympic-calibre talent, and looming European Championships all converge this weekend in the third leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN) 2025 season. In a field thick with rising stars and proven legends, the Dutch are seeking redemption, the Irish are chasing momentum, and the Germans? They might just be quietly unbeatable.</p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s unpack the podium contenders and the form lines that matter.</p>
<h2>The Dutch Send a Message: It&rsquo;s Now or Never</h2>
<p>After two experimental outings earlier this LLN season, the Netherlands are finally unleashing their A-team &ndash; Monaco and Beauville Z N.O.P., two of the most consistent 5* 160 performers in the world. With an average Elo of 764, the Dutch top the field in Rotterdam and look every bit the team to beat. Beauville&rsquo;s five clears from six LLN rounds (including the tough Barcelona Final) make him one of the most reliable horses in this competition.</p>
<p>Yet, for all their horsepower, the Dutch haven&rsquo;t cracked the LLN code, no wins, just one podium. Home pressure could cut both ways. This team is good enough to win. But will they?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ireland&rsquo;s Young Guns Are Ready to Roar</h2>
<p>No team has made a bigger leap in 2025 than the Irish. Led by Bertram Allen and Seamus Hughes Kennedy, they arrive in Rotterdam with a staggering 72% clear rate at CSI5* 160 this year, the highest of any team. Qonquest de Rigo and ESI Rocky, two of the sport&rsquo;s most exciting young horses, have backed up the numbers with double clears at Nations Cups in La Baule and Rome.</p>
<p>On paper, they may trail in rating (728), but in the ring, they&rsquo;ve been the form team. It&rsquo;s easy to forget how far Irish show jumping has come since Olympic disappointment last summer. Now, with depth and youth on their side, they&rsquo;re once again podium contenders, in Rotterdam and beyond.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Germany&rsquo;s Depth is Simply Relentless</h2>
<p>It&rsquo;s hard to look past Germany when talking about championship success. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi van 't Ruytershof are at the forefront, bringing the most outstanding clear record of the last 12 months (13 from 18 at 5* 160). With an overall team clear rate of 58%, the Germans have the second-highest strike rate of any squad in Rotterdam, and one of the deepest pools of top-level experience.</p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s not forget Sophie Hinners, who is four from four perfect clear in 2025 Longines League of Nations season with Iron Dames Singclair, with double clears in Abu Dhabi and Ocala. Add in Chageorge and Sprehe Hot Easy, and you have a team that&rsquo;s as balanced as it is dangerous.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Belgium: Decisions, Decisions</h2>
<p>For Belgium, this weekend is all about selection headaches. With three Belgian stars like Ermitage Kalone, Casual DV Z and Bonne Amie virtually locked in for the Europeans, the other two spots are still up for grabs. With multiple 10-year-olds on the roster, Rotterdam becomes an audition for the likes of Impress-K van &lsquo;t Kattenheye Z, Parise van den Dael, and Portobella van de Fruitkorf.</p>
<p>Their LLN clear rate this season sits at 29%, but don&rsquo;t count them out. Belgium&rsquo;s talent pool is growing fast and hungry.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Stay Tuned</h2>
<p>We&rsquo;ll be covering every stride on our Instagram and WhatsApp Channel, so don&rsquo;t miss the key stats, surprise clears, and team shakeups as they happen. This is Rotterdam and it's not just about the LLN leaderboard anymore. It&rsquo;s about European dreams.</p>

Dutch Determination, Irish Momentum, German Precision: Who Will Rise in Rotterdam?

<p>In the world of eventing, riders and horses often take centre stage - but behind most great combinations is an owner whose belief and support help make it all possible. In the newest <em><strong>Through the Owner's Eyes</strong> </em>podcast we hear from <strong>Pete Cattell</strong> on his journey from the Rio Olympics to the backer of one of Ireland's future championship horse. This interview offers both inspiration and insight into what it means to be part of a sport at the top level.<br><br></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37047595/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/6ba5ed/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Starting the Journey: From Spectators to Owners</h3>
<p>Pete&rsquo;s path into ownership began alongside his wife Di, who shared his enthusiasm for horses and the sport. Their first step towards ownership came when Pete and Di wrote out a list of life goals. On Peter's list? Own a four-star event horse. That one decision would open a door to a new chapter in life. They weren&rsquo;t just looking for a transaction, they were looking for a horse to believe in and a journey to be part of.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Major Milestone: A Ginger Horse With Grit</h3>
<p>Their journey began with a horse named <strong>Major Milestone</strong>, a chestnut once ridden by<strong> Owen Moore.</strong> &ldquo;We bought him and he really needed to go back to basics,&rdquo; Pete said. Owen successfully brought the horse up to CCI4*-L level, competing at both Bramham and Blenheim. But despite the milestones, progress wasn&rsquo;t easy - &ldquo;His dressage was just dreadful. I mean, shockingly bad,&rdquo; Pete admitted with a laugh.</p>
<p>Eventually, Owen encouraged Pete to look for another rider better suited for the next stage. That rider would become none other than <strong>Sir Mark Todd.</strong> Mark gave the horse a go and within weeks, was calling to ask, &ldquo;Is this horse qualified for Burghley?&rdquo; It turned out he was. Mark took him to Burghley, where Major Milestone finished an impressive 11th. <img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/a3fa8b5e-4bae-465e-ba2e-4941daa5dd46.png?width=1080&amp;height=576" alt="Eventing Podcast Blog Quote Graphics (1)"></p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Leonidas II and the Olympic Dream: The Horse That Changed Everything</h3>
<p><strong>Leonidas II</strong> showed Pete and Di what was possible. Ridden by<strong> Mark Todd</strong> and eventually<strong> Padraig McCarthy</strong>, Leonidas had an exceptional career, but the pinnacle being the<strong> Rio Olympic Games in 2016.&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>Pete described Rio as "a lot of dreams com(ing) true". From the selection process to the experience on the ground in Rio, being part of that team effort brought a new layer of pride and perspective. Although the week ended with huge dissapointment and they went home without end a medal, it was a moment that confirmed everything Pete had come to believe about ownership. It&rsquo;s not just about competition - it's about being part of something bigger, with memories that last a lifetime.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/8134b34f-042f-48a1-b9ee-d62bd439e136.png?width=1015&amp;height=670" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 18 183251"></p>
<p><em>Mark Todd and Leonidas II</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Life After Mark Todd: A New Chapter Begins</h3>
<p>The day Mark retired "Was a celebration of Mark's eventing career and a sad day at the same time," described Pete. But rather than stepping back, Pete found a new path forward by getting involved with other riders such as fellow Team NZL rider&nbsp;<strong>Tim Price </strong>and <strong>Padraig McCarthy</strong> who he met through<strong>&nbsp;Sally Corscadden.</strong></p>
<p>Now, a number of years later, <strong>Padraig McCarthy</strong> is partnered with the Cattell's <strong>MGH Zabaione</strong> - one of the most exciting nine year olds on the circuit. The horse showed his class by winning the prestigious Blenheim Palace 8/9yo class in 2024 - becoming the first Irish horse to do so and the first eight-year-old winner since 2016. This season, he also topped the leaderboard in the Millstreet CCI4*-L. With Aachen&rsquo;s Nations Cup approaching and the European Championships at Blenheim on the horizon, his upward trajectory continues.&nbsp;The long-term vision? LA 2028 is firmly in their sights.<br><br><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/0104127b-0132-4ca7-a7bd-9ddd6c263a2a.png?width=1080&amp;height=567" alt="Eventing Podcast Blog Quote Graphics (2)"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>What Makes a Good Owner-Rider Partnership?</h3>
<p>Pete has a unique perspective on what makes a successful owner-rider relationship. It&rsquo;s not just about results, he says, but about shared values, open communication, and a clear understanding of each party&rsquo;s role.</p>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/933505b7-aee5-4815-bbb5-cd2cb0862df2.png?width=1080&amp;height=552" alt="Eventing Podcast Blog Quote Graphics (3)"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Full Picture of Ownership</h3>
<p>Pete describes ownership as having three equally important parts.</p>
<ol>
<li>There's the competition side of it</li>
<li>There's watching your horses go through the grades and improve</li>
<li>Then there's the fun</li>
</ol>
<p>That &ldquo;fun&rdquo; means much more than just the adrenaline of cross-country day. For Pete, it&rsquo;s about the community- the people, the travel, the shared experiences.&nbsp;For Pete, the enjoyment comes from every layer of the experience - from watching a young horse learn, to chatting with fellow owners about plans and prospects, to their recent trip to France.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/3c71f6f2-d9b2-4aff-9e7b-5669870badda.png?width=1080&amp;height=562" alt="Eventing Podcast Blog Quote Graphics (4)"></p>
<hr>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Matching Potential with Opportunity</h3>
<p><em><strong>Through the Owner&rsquo;s Eyes</strong></em> is brought to you in partnership with<strong> EquiRatings Horse Sales</strong>. If you&rsquo;re on the hunt for your next horse or looking to make a smarter match, this is where data can truly make a difference.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/00e46b20-400d-4170-95a6-c9c912ab9a15.png?width=2236&amp;height=274" alt="Screenshot 2025 06 18 183008"></p>
<p>EquiRatings Horse Sales brings together performance potential and price - helping to find the right horse for you, with clarity in your decision and confidence in your journey. Maximise your chance of success, minimise the chance of regret. Read more<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/solutions/horse-sales" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3>Listen to the full episode now!</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">📣 <strong data-start="157" data-end="200">Stay in the Loop on All Things Eventing</strong></h2>
<p class="" data-start="201" data-end="285">Get the latest predictions, key stats, and storylines delivered where you want them.</p>
<p class="" data-start="287" data-end="580">👉&nbsp;<strong data-start="290" data-end="316">Follow us on Instagram</strong>:&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/equiratingseventing" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="318" data-end="387">@equiratings_eventing</a></p>
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Podcast Graphic with Padraig McCarthy and Leonidas II

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Selecting Team GB: What Our HPR Hot List Can Tell Us Ahead of the Europeans

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Messi Van 't Ruytershof’s Rotterdam Rehearsal for European Gold

Dutch Determination, Irish Momentum, German Precision: Who Will Rise in Rotterdam?

Through the Owner's Eyes: Pete Cattell

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