As they work their way up the levels, young horses often fly under the radar, playing second fiddle to the sport's big five-star names. But it's our job to keep tabs on the young ones too, and here are six that stand out to us.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">1. MGH Zabaione</h2>
Rider: Padraig McCarthy (IRL)
Owners: Di Brunsden, Peter Cattell &amp; Padraig McCarthy
MGH Zabaione, ridden by Padraig McCarthy, enters the 2025 season as the highest rated nine-year-old in the world (Elo 638) and he finished last season as the highest rated eight-year-old horse in Irish history. Across all ages, only two Irish horses have higher Elo ratings at the start of this year: Colorado Blue (762) with Austin O'Connor and Calmaro (678) with Joseph Murphy.
Plus, MGH Zabaione became the first Irish horse in history to win the prolific CCI4*-S 8/9 YO class at Blenheim and was the first eight-year-old winner since 2016.
Zabaione had five international runs last season and, in all five, he jumped clear across the country and in the show jumping ring, twice bringing home the win (Ballindenisk 3*-S, Blenheim 4*-S 8/9 YO). We can&rsquo;t wait to see what 2025 might have in store for this young superstar.
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/65746bc2-03cf-4be4-ba09-69761a1cbbd3.jpg?width=4256&amp;height=2832" alt="Padraig McCarthy in a black &amp; white image in his dressage competition attire. He smiles and points.">
Padraig McCarthy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">2. Cooley Mosstown</h2>
Rider: Caroline Harris (GBR)
Owners: Gail Sinclair, Karen Dunford, Dinah Posford
With Caroline Harris, Cooley Mosstown has an immaculate international cross country jumping record; he&rsquo;s never had a cross country jumping fault in any of his 13 international XC runs. And&nbsp;he enters 2025 as the fastest nine-year-old in the sport right now, having outpaced 95% of his cross country competitors on his fastest days.
In June 2024, Cooley Mosstown made the step up to CCI4* level in style with a win at Kilguilkey CCI4*-S and he then placed third in the Blenheim CCI4*-S 8/9 YO class to wrap up his year.
Cooley Mosstown enters the 2025 season as the #2 nine-year-old in the world based on his EquiRatings Elo rating (614). Big things are on the horizon for this young horse.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">3. Corimiro</h2>
Rider: Sarah Bullimore (GBR)
Owners: Brett Bullimore, Bruce Saint, Christopher &amp; Susan Gillespie
Just one Elo point behind Cooley Mosstown, Corimiro enters the 2025 season as the #3 nine-year-old in the world (Elo 613). With Sarah Bullimore, he is already a winner at the CCI3* level (Montelibretti 3*-L 2023) and he made a successful step up to CCI4* last year, including his top-10 finish in the Blenheim 4*-S 8/9 YOs.
Corimiro is the only horse on this list to have already completed (and delivered) at the CCI4*-L level when he finished 5th at Boekelo to wrap up his 2024 season. Without his rail on the final day, it would have been a win for this talented young horse &ndash; we can always say &ldquo;what if&rdquo; in eventing but watch this space for 2025.
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/3af8ce5c-ed6e-48c8-a17f-d5bf24adfd2f.png?width=1406&amp;height=1454" alt="Table Showing the Highest Rated 9-Year-Olds Entering 2025 (and an Honourable Mention)">
<h2 class="MsoNormal">4. Kiarado d&rsquo;Arville</h2>
Rider: Lara de Leidekerke-Meier (BEL)
Owners: FIVE STAR EVENTERS sprl &amp; LARGA sprl
With Lara de Leidekerke-Meier, Kiarado d&rsquo;Arville earned three international wins in 2024 (Jardy 2*-S, Strzegom 4*-S, Kronenberg 3*-L). For his Kronenberg win, the young star also produced the best dressage score from an eight-year-old across all international events last season (20.8).
Kiarado d&rsquo;Arville begins his 2025 season as the #4 nine-year-old in the world based on his EquiRatings Elo rating (604). &nbsp;
<blockquote>
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s the most incredible little horse that I have ever sat on, he is the full package and I am really looking forward to seeing what is in store for him in the next couple of years. I really believe he&rsquo;s a contender for me for Aachen 2026 World Championships&rdquo;. - Lara
</blockquote>
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/1ba43a03-9705-472c-88df-3fa4c7406810.jpg?width=3985&amp;height=2758" alt="A black &amp; white close-up image of Lara De Liedekerke Meier as she faces her horse during a horse inspection">
Lara de Liedekerke-Meier. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">5. Jaguars Duende&nbsp;</h2>
Rider: Sharon White (USA)
Owners: Sharon White
Sharon White&rsquo;s Jaguars Duende starts 2025 as the&nbsp;highest rated nine-year-old in the USA&nbsp;according to the EquiRatings Elo rating and the #5 nine-year-old in the world (Elo 603). Of the mare&rsquo;s nine career completions at international level, she has been on the podium every time, including four wins (Virginia 2*-S 2022, Carolina 3*-S 2024, Tryon 3*-L 2024, Maryland 3*-L 2024). With those three 2024 victories at the CCI3* level, her transition to CCI4*&nbsp;is one of the most highly anticipated developments of the year, with 2025 shaping up to be a breakthrough season for this talented mare.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">6. C-Let&rsquo;s Dance van de Beemd</h2>
Rider: Laura Collett (GBR)
Owner: Sheena Pilkington
Our honourable mention hasn't yet made a mark on the Elo rankings but he did deliver the best CCI3* finishing score in the world last season, across all ages and all countries. That score came courtesy of&nbsp;C-Let&rsquo;s Dance van de Beemd and Laura Collett when they finished on their dressage score of 22.8 to win the Lisgarven CCI3*-L in August.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Ned is one of the most talented horses I&rsquo;ve ridden. I&rsquo;ll take my time with him because I think if I get it right then he&rsquo;ll be a serious one for the future. He&rsquo;ll do another CCI3*-L before hopefully stepping up later in the season.&rdquo; - Laura
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Find Your Next Champion</h2>
From hidden gems to medal contenders, EquiRatings can help you navigate the world of horse sales. <a href="sales@equiratings.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reach out to our sales team at sales@equiratings.com</a> or explore our product guide <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/987655522/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">Final Thoughts</h2>
Thanks for reading! If you love eventing and want fresh insights, share this article and follow us at <a href="news.equiratings.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.equiratings.com</a>.

Close-up black & white image of Laura Collett seen behind her horse's neck as she smiles and pats him from the ground.

Six 9-Year-Old Eventers to Watch This Season

Main

&nbsp;
The international show jumping scene has kicked off 2025 with intense competition and remarkable performances. Sweden's King Edward continues to dominate with an exceptional 812 rating, while Olympic medalist Beauville Z N.O.P. demonstrates phenomenal form, approaching a historic 800-point threshold that only three horses have achieved since 2010. These rankings not only showcase the sport's established champions but also highlight emerging partnerships that are reshaping the competitive landscape.
<h1>The Current Top-Rated Horses</h1>
<h3>Olympic Medalist Edges Closer to Historic Milestone</h3>
While King Edward continues to lead to EquiRatings Elo rating by a huge margin, a remarkable story is forming for Maikel van der Vleuten&rsquo;s Beauville Z N.O.P. The 2021 &amp; 2024 Olympic bronze medalist's recent performance at the World Cup of Basel has further solidified their standing, positioning him as the current second-highest rated horse in the world on an Elo rating of 794. Only three horses in history have ever managed to reach the 800-threshold on the Elo rating and with Beauville Z&rsquo;s current run of form, we could see the bay gelding join a very elite group of horses.
<h3>British Rising Star's Perfect Record Secures Top Three Position</h3>
The British combination of Point Break and Ben Maher has made a spectacular rise to third place, achieving a rating of 780. Their achievement of eleven consecutive clear rounds at the prestigious five-star 160cm level, including their latest success at the World Cup of Basel, demonstrates remarkable consistency at the highest level of the sport.
<h3>Bond Jamesbond de Hay Breaks into Elite Top 10 After Mechelen Success</h3>
The rankings have welcomed Belgium's Bond Jamesbond de Hay, who earned their place among the elite following an impressive fourth-place finish at the World Cup of Mechelen. This addition to the top ten, with a rating of 770, exemplifies the dynamic nature of international show jumping competition.
&nbsp;
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/6d83c522-b82b-4f75-ac10-a4d721745a0a.png?width=1646&amp;height=1784" alt="the Current Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World">
&nbsp;
<h1>How the Today&rsquo;s Stars rank in the All-Time Ratings</h1>
The current rankings not only reflect today's excellence but also place these horses among the sport's all-time greats. Beauville Z N.O.P.'s remarkable 794 rating positions him among the top five highest-rated horses in history, sharing the prestigious company of Olympic champions like the legendary Explosion W and Big Star. This achievement underscores the exceptional quality of Maikel van der Vleuten's partnership with the bay gelding, as they continue their pursuit of the elusive 800-point threshold.
Ben Maher's rising star Point Break has also carved his place in history, with his current rating of 780 placing him within the top 25 highest-rated horses of all time. This achievement is particularly impressive given his relatively recent emergence at the sport's highest level, suggesting there may be even more to come from this promising combination.
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/bffe3ea8-8906-4580-8529-5c9479985604.png?width=1740&amp;height=1784" alt="G I Cc7 the All Time Top 10 Elo Rated Horses in the World ">
These rankings not only celebrate current form but also provide historical context, highlighting how today's champions are writing their own chapters in show jumping's rich legacy.

Power Shifts in Show Jumping: Who Are the Top-Rated Horses in the World Right Now?

Top show jumping combinations from across Europe are preparing to battle it out at this weekend's FEI World Cup leg in Basel, Switzerland, where precious qualification points for April's World Cup Final are at stake. The event promises spectacular sport as several of the world's highest-rated horses take center stage in what could be a pivotal moment in the Western European League season.
<h2>Race for World Cup Final Qualification Heats Up</h2>
With only four Western European League qualifiers remaining before April's prestigious World Cup Final, also set to be held in Basel, the pressure is mounting for several top riders still seeking qualification points. Notable names including Tim Gredley, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, and Olympic medalist Maikel van der Vleuten find themselves in a must-perform situation as they chase their spots in the top 18 of the Western European League standings.
<h2>Olympic Hero Beauville Z Headlines Elite Field</h2>
The spotlight will undoubtedly fall on Maikel van der Vleuten's exceptional mount Beauville Z, currently the second-highest rated horse in the world. Fresh from making Olympic history as only the third horse ever to claim two Individual Olympic medals &ndash; bronze in both Tokyo and Paris &ndash; Beauville Z enters Basel as the highest-rated equine competitor. With van der Vleuten currently sitting 20th in the World Cup standings, this partnership will be hungry for success in Sunday's feature class.
<h2>Rising Stars and Record Breakers</h2>
Ben Maher's Point Break has been rewriting the record books, recently achieving a remarkable feat of ten consecutive clear rounds at five-star 160 level, culminating in a second-place finish at the London World Cup. The ten-year-old's Elo rating of 777 puts him in elite company, with only Olympic champion Explosion W achieving a higher rating at the same age.
<h2>The Unstoppable United Touch S Seeks Fourth Victory</h2>
German rider Richard Vogel brings his phenomenal partner United Touch S to Basel with an unblemished World Cup record this season. The bay stallion has dominated the circuit with victories in all three of his Western European League appearances, making them the combination to beat despite having already secured their place in April's final.
<h2>Historic Return for Veteran Champion</h2>
In a remarkable display of longevity, the newly crowned EquiRatings Horse of the Year, Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot, makes history as he returns to five-star competition at the age of 20. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar's trusted partner joins an exclusive club of just three horses to compete at this level at such an advanced age since 2010, alongside legends Flexible and Cabri d'Elle.
<h2>Future Champion in the Making</h2>
Adding to the excitement is the presence of Kevin Staut's promising mount Vida Loca Z. The newly turned 9-year-old has already demonstrated exceptional talent, achieving an impressive Elo rating of 695 during his eight-year-old season &ndash; a feat matched by only three other horses in history. Following a CSI4* Grand Prix victory last May, the pair has successfully transitioned to the sport's highest level.
&nbsp;
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/997f6d4e-a8f3-4bca-ab5d-5f1ff4208973.png?width=1690&amp;height=1658" alt="Wls Mj Stars of the Show for the Longines Chi Classics Basel 2025">
The Basel World Cup show promises to deliver world-class sport as established champions clash with rising stars in what could be a defining moment in the Western European League season. With qualification points, historic achievements, and prestigious titles all on the line, this weekend's competition is not to be missed.

Star-Studded Field Set to Light Up Basel World Cup as Final Countdown Begins

Looking back, where were the Paris individual medallists three-and-a-half years before their podium moment?
What did we learn from the Paris podium? Never write off Michael Jung. The horse that had led and lost every major championship he had contested (5!) didn&rsquo;t lead but did win in Paris. Never doubt Laura Collett. Her partnership endured falls, flags, and run-outs before bringing home a second team Olympic gold and an individual bronze medal. And never forget Chris Burton. The man who walked away from the sport, returned, and claimed the individual silver.
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/69188ee2-ab1d-4ffe-9bb4-eb1bcc57fb17.jpg?width=3576&amp;height=3506" alt="Rider Michael Jung cantering the bay horse fischerChipmunk FRH around the Paris Olympics arena after their victory-clinching show jumping round. Chipmunk's ears are pricked forward and Michael is smiling.">
Michael Jung &amp; fischerChipmunk FRH in Paris. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Those are the stories (and we love those at EquiRatings!) but let&rsquo;s dig into the cold hard facts. Forget the riders and medals for a moment. How were their horses performing at the start of 2021? And how many future champions might be lurking out there right now, waiting for their moment on the LA stage?
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/a076d23c-b664-400d-af79-5f2da611b821.png?width=1390&amp;height=1168" alt="Line Graph showing the Paris 2024 Podium Their Ratings Over the Last Olympic Cycle">
<h3 dir="ltr">Why Use a Metric Rather Than a Statistic?</h3>
When it comes to performance, some stats flatter, but metrics matter.&nbsp;For example, how fast someone can run 100m is useful&mdash;it&rsquo;s a good proxy for performance. But equestrian sports are full of misleading &lsquo;stats&rsquo; that tell us little about the future. That&rsquo;s where EquiRatings came in 10 years ago. We combined domain knowledge and data science to create metrics that matter.
This approach changes how we think. Data insights aren&rsquo;t magic, but they challenge gut feelings and save countless hours of manual research. For years, I spent hours every day scrolling websites and building spreadsheets. Modern data science does that work in minutes&mdash;and with far better results.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/81c7f78f-8466-473f-bc32-91a278c81301.png?width=1626&amp;height=926" alt="Table showing then versus now: best in class Jan 2021 and Jan 2025">
<h3 dir="ltr">The Metric That Predicted the Paris Podium</h3>
The EquiRatings Elo is our most powerful metric for predicting consistency and quality.&nbsp;Every international horse has an Elo rating. Horses lose points when beaten by lower-rated competitors and gain points when defeating higher-rated ones. The best horses consistently beat top competition.
Here&rsquo;s what the data revealed about Paris medallists at the start of 2021:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Chipmunk (Elo 839): The highest-rated 13-year-old globally.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Shadow Man (Elo 671): The highest-rated 11-year-old.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">London 52 (Elo 726): The second highest-rated 12-year-old, behind Tokyo medallist Vassily de Lassos.</li>
</ul>
Interestingly,&nbsp;all three were already into double figures in age. While many look at 7-year-olds as the next big thing, these horses proved that established performers shine brightest.
&nbsp;
<hr>
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/3a0351de-536c-4ec0-9922-f79439d637c3.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="The three British horse and rider combinations from Paris 2024 going around the Olympic arena during their victory lap after winning team gold. Tom McEwen, Ros Canter &amp; Laura Collett. All riders are smiling broadly. Ros &amp; Laura are fist pumping. The photograph is taken from in front of them.">
The gold-medal-winning Team GB at Paris 2024. From left to right: Tom McEwen &amp; JL Dublin, Ros Canter &amp; Lordships Graffalo, Laura Collett &amp; London 52. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
<h3 dir="ltr">So, Who Wins LA?</h3>
We can&rsquo;t predict the future, but we can maximize our chances by making smart decisions.&nbsp;Here are four horses to watch who each start the 2025 season as the highest-rated horse in their age group:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">The 13-Year-Olds:&nbsp;Lordships Graffalo (855). Higher rated now than Chipmunk was before Paris. Can Graffalo avenge the flag?</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The 12-Year-Olds:&nbsp;Zaragoza (729). A rising star with medals on the horizon.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The 11-Year-Olds: Nickel 21 (750). Already an Olympian and Aachen winner, this horse has championship potential.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The 10-Year-Olds:&nbsp;HSH Blake (684). A home crowd favorite with Olympic experience.</li>
</ul>
The Elo has become indispensable to riders, owners, and agents. Whether identifying high-potential youngsters or proven championship contenders, our metrics guide smarter decisions in horse purchasing.
<h3 dir="ltr">Find Your Next Champion</h3>
From hidden gems to medal contenders, EquiRatings can help you navigate the world of horse sales. <a href="sales@equiratings.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reach out to our sales team at sales@equiratings.com</a> or explore our product guide <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/987655522/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h3 dir="ltr">Final Thoughts</h3>
Thanks for reading! If you love eventing and want fresh insights, share this article and follow us at <a href="news.equiratings.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.equiratings.com</a>.

Rider Julia Krajewski pats the bay horse Nickel 21 on the neck as they gallop across the finish line of cross country course in competition. Nickel has a game and alert expression and Julia is smiling.

How Paris Proved the Power of Data in Eventing: Lessons for LA 2028

In the high-stakes world of show jumping, field strength serves as a crucial indicator of competition quality. As we look back at 2024's most prestigious events, the data reveals fascinating insights about which competitions attracted the sport's elite combinations and produced the most memorable victories.&nbsp;
<h2>Record-Breaking Field Strength: The Geneva Effect</h2>
In general, it seems that the Rolex Grand Slam Grands Prix attract some of our sports most successful competitors. Now, we also have the data to back that up. According to the EquiRatings Elo Field Strength, the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva had the toughest individual field strength, not only of 2024, but since the start of our data collection in 2010.
It was quite a jump-off that decided the 2024 Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva. Historically, victory had been alluding Harrie Smolders and the incredible Monaco whose runner-up tally stood at 11 when they entered the Palexpo Arena of Sunday. As first out in a 10-headed jump-off, they produced a foot-perfect and fast round to keep the pressure on the combinations that followed. Many tried, but none succeeded to remain clear and improve on Smolders' &amp; Monaco's time, seeing the pair claim their first-ever five-star Grand Prix victory in the toughest five-star Grand Prix ever recorded.
Other classes in Geneva also attracted strong combinations, with both the IJRC Rolex Top 10 Final, as the Troph&eacute;e de Geneve both also ranking among the Top 4 competitions of 2024.&nbsp; The Rolex Grand Prix of Calgary also ranks among the Top 10 top competitions of 2024.
<h2>Martin Fuchs: Master of High-Stakes Moments</h2>
One rider seemed to peak when the opposition seemed the toughest. Of the 10 competitions with the strongest Elo Field Strength of 2024, three were won by the Swiss Wonder, Martin Fuchs. Successful on home soil in Geneva by taking victory in the Troph&eacute;e de Geneve riding Conner Jei, it was with Leone Jei that Fuchs managed to claim his first-ever victory in a IJRC Rolex Top 10 Final. Earlier in the year, that same pair had already won the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva for the second year running.
<h2>Olympic Glory: Kukuk's Historic Victory in Paris</h2>
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games gave us a thrilling exhibition of sport with one of the three toughest individual Field Strengths of the year. After a three-headed jump-off, it was Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47 who took the honours and will go down in history as the 2024 Olympic Champions. They beat both Beauville Z N.O.P. and Dynamix de Belheme in the jump-off, despite being lower-rated than both horses at the time.
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/45094b93-5533-402e-8272-5f3a1cec70f5.png?width=1278&amp;height=1432" alt="A9tg a the Top Competitions of 2024 Based on Field Strength Who Won Them ">

Six 9-Year-Old Eventers to Watch This Season

Top Stories

Six 9-Year-Old Eventers to Watch This Season

Power Shifts in Show Jumping: Who Are the Top-Rated Horses in the World Right Now?

Star-Studded Field Set to Light Up Basel World Cup as Final Countdown Begins

How Paris Proved the Power of Data in Eventing: Lessons for LA 2028

The Top Competitions of 2024 based on Field Strength & Who Won Them

Featured Ratings