<p>The 2025 edition of CHI Geneva brings together one of the deepest, most statistically impressive fields of the season. With the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final on Friday and the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva on Sunday, the sport&rsquo;s biggest names arrive at Palexpo carrying extraordinary form, career-defining momentum, and storylines that place this event at the centre of the global jumping calendar.</p>
<p>This weekend is not only about prestige. It is a weekend shaped by data: Elo strength, clear-round reliability, win rates, and head-to-head match-ups all point toward a set of classes where the margins will be razor-thin.</p>
<h1>Stars of the Show: Elo Powerhouses Arrive in Geneva</h1>
<p>Six of the world&rsquo;s Top 10 Elo-rated horses are set to compete in Geneva, a superbly dense concentration of elite firepower. Monaco (781), the defending champion of the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva, enters as the highest-rated horse in the field and sits only 1 point behind the world&rsquo;s global No.3, Ermitage Kalone. He is joined by United Touch S, Dynamix de Belheme, Greya, Toulayna, and Cayman Jolly Jumper, forming a strong collective of top horses in Geneva.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/4ecd76b6-063e-443b-89ec-d73d24e90652.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Stars of the Show (2)"></p>
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>Monaco&rsquo;s Spark that Ignited a Season</h3>
<p>The presence of Monaco and United Touch S in Geneva sets up a compelling storyline:<br><strong><em>The last two winners of the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva enter 2025 as the two highest-rated horses in this year&rsquo;s field.</em></strong></p>
<p>Monaco&rsquo;s Geneva victory proved more than a milestone. Before their victory, the pair hadn&rsquo;t been able to win a five-star 160 class, but came close multiple times by claiming the runner-up spot on 11 different occasions. This victory proved a momentum shift. Since that day, Harrie &amp; Monaco have gone on to be victorious in three more five-star Grands Prix in 2025 (Cannes, Valkenswaard and Rome).</p>
<p>Harrie Smolders&rsquo; Monaco also approaches another personal milestone. He will likely jump the 100th CSI5* 160 round of his career in Geneva this weekend, and he is chasing what would be a remarkable 50th clear at the level.</p>
<p>Geneva loves a horse with history. Monaco brings both history and form.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>The Ones on Form: Who Has Been Jumping the Cleanest in 2025?</h1>
<p>Clear-round reliability is often the deciding factor in Palexpo&rsquo;s expansive arena. Based on CSI5* 1.60m rounds jumped in 2025, Scott Brash&rsquo;s Hello Folie leads all Geneva entries with a stunning 75% clear rate, over courses with a relatively high average clear rate of 40%. These clears helped the pair claim both a Team &amp; Individual Silver medal at the Jumping European Championships in A Coruna last summer.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/a39a8ff0-520f-44e6-89b0-c8c24259479f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="The Ones on Form (2)"></p>
<p>These are the horses arriving to Geneva in form, and it&rsquo;s clears that are needed to climb Sunday&rsquo;s Grand Prix podium.</p>
<h1><br>The Winners&rsquo; Club: Riders Who Know How to Win Big in 2025</h1>
<p>If this season has belonged to anyone statistically, it is World #1 Kent Farrington. He has already claimed eight five-star Grand Prix or World Cup victories this year, matching the all-time record he set in 2017. No rider, on record since 2010, has ever won more than eight major five-star classes in a single calendar year. Farrington now stands on the brink of surpassing himself.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/72ef5b37-517e-41d0-83a0-9436d3b226d0.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="The Winners' Club (2)"></p>
<p>For six of his eight upper-level wins so far this year, Farrington counted on his trusted partner, Greya to take the top honours. Only once on our records has a horse managed to win 6 five-star Grand Prix or World Cup classes in one calendar year: Gazelle, also piloted by Kent, achieved this feat back in 2017. Remarkably, they won their 6th Grand Prix of that year here, at CHI Geneva.</p>
<p><em><strong>&nbsp;Can Greya write history where Gazelle wrote hers?</strong></em></p>
<p>Scott Brash has had one of the best seasons of his career with six wins at five-star Grand Prix/World Cup level, a tally achieved by only five riders in any season in the modern era.<br>Christian Kukuk, Simon Delestre, Harrie Smolders, and Karl Cook also enter the week with multiple 2025 five-star wins, reinforcing the quality of this year&rsquo;s field.</p>
<h3><br>Kent vs Scott: The Rivalry of 2025 Arrives on the Palexpo Stage</h3>
<p>Farrington and Brash have defined much of the top end of the sport this year, &nbsp;winning on separate continents, chasing world ranking points, and meeting on only a few occasions.</p>
<p>So far in 2025, they have met on four major five-star occasions: &rsquo;s-Hertogenbosch, La Baule, St Tropez, and most recently in Aachen.</p>
<p><strong>Their most notable meeting?</strong><br>The LGCT Grand Prix of St Tropez, where Scott Brash &amp; Hello Chadora Lady took the win ahead of Kent Farrington &amp; Toulayna, a 1&ndash;2 finish that encapsulated their season-long duel. Both riders will contest Friday&rsquo;s Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, and both bring multiple proven horses that would be ones to watch for Sunday&rsquo;s Grand Prix.</p>
<p>It is very possible, even likely, that the outcome of CHI Geneva 2025 will swing on this rivalry.</p>
<h1><br>A Weekend of Opportunity, History, and Statistical Firsts</h1>
<p>With six Top 10 Elo horses, multiple major winners, and form horses peaking at the right time, the 2025 Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva shapes up as a classic.</p>
<p>Expect Monaco to be central to the conversation yet again, both statistically and emotionally. Expect Farrington and Brash to push the pace. Expect the Swiss crowd to lift Dynamix de Belheme. And expect a jump-off, should it happen, to enter the seasonal highlight reel.</p>
<p>Few shows can match Geneva for atmosphere and ambition. This year, the numbers and storylines suggest something special is about to unfold.</p>

CHI Geneva 2025: The Stars, their Form, and the Rivalries That Matter

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Horse Ratings

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<p data-start="277" data-end="542">The EquiRatings Horse of the Year bracket has gone from down from ten to the final four very quickly. After thousands of votes and some heavyweight early battles, we're into the stage where every matchup feels like a final. Four horses. Four exceptional horses. Only two spots in the ERHOTY Final.</p>
<p data-start="544" data-end="629">Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know about the semi-finalists before casting your vote.</p>
<p data-start="544" data-end="629">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="631" data-end="634">
<h2 data-start="636" data-end="670">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="636" data-end="670"><strong data-start="639" data-end="668"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/b71e111d-a2d2-46a0-a1bb-07449e41003c.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=1715" alt="D R2 Laura Collett Londo N52 1 8 Compressed"></strong></h2>
<h2 data-start="636" data-end="670"><strong data-start="639" data-end="668">London 52 - Laura Collett</strong></h2>
<p data-start="671" data-end="1263">London 52 was crowned European Champion at Blenheim, claiming his fifth senior medal and second individual medal - a major achievement that follows his individual bronze at Paris last year. His season was extremely consistent, with results including two 3rd places (including Luhmuhlen 5*) and three 1sts. London 52's dressage sets him apart, scoring as low as 18.5 this year. Furthermore, his cross-country pace is often underrated - he is extremely quick, proven by achieving the second fastest time of the day at the Europeans.<br data-start="1201" data-end="1204"><strong data-start="1204" data-end="1263">Owned by Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott, and Laura Collett</strong></p>
<p data-start="671" data-end="1263">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1265" data-end="1268">
<h2 data-start="1270" data-end="1310">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1270" data-end="1310"><strong data-start="1273" data-end="1308"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/b56e24b4-9fa2-4fa3-81a4-355c55851385.jpg?width=5504&amp;height=4989" alt="Lordships Graffalo Paris 2024 Xc Ros Canter Lordshipsgraffalo 9037 (3)"></strong></h2>
<h2 data-start="1270" data-end="1310"><strong data-start="1273" data-end="1308">Lordships Graffalo - Ros Canter</strong></h2>
<p data-start="1311" data-end="2057">How soon is it to decide if you&rsquo;re already an all time great? I think this debate is already settled. Let&rsquo;s just enjoy living in a time when we get to see this horse. Lordships Graffalo cemented his legendary status this season by becoming the first horse to win both Badminton AND Burghley twice, achieving both major titles in the same season. He produced two of the year&rsquo;s most dominant five-star performances, known for his cross-country strength which is smooth, fast, and flawless. Of his four runs this year, he secured three first-place finishes, all with 100+ HPRs. Furthermore, he is the highest-rated British horse on EquiRatings Elo, having become the first British horse to break the 800 barrier.<br data-start="2020" data-end="2023"><strong data-start="2023" data-end="2057">Owned by Archie &amp; Michele Saul</strong></p>
<p data-start="1311" data-end="2057">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2059" data-end="2062">
<h2 data-start="2064" data-end="2103">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="2064" data-end="2103"><strong data-start="2067" data-end="2101"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/69589e6b-c880-4c2d-8f34-e6849b97a699.png?width=1377&amp;height=933" alt="Screenshot 2024 05 08 at 18.33.23 (1)"></strong></h2>
<h2 data-start="2064" data-end="2103"><strong data-start="2067" data-end="2101">Cavalier Crystal - Harry Meade</strong></h2>
<p data-start="2104" data-end="2661">Cavalier Crystal has decided her parking spot is on the five-star podium, cementing her status at one of the most consistent 5* performers with two top placings in 2025 - 4th at Badminton and 3rd at Burghley. She also finished 3rd at Burghley the previous two years (2023, 2024). The pair have FOD&rsquo;ed (finished on their dressage score) at both Badminton and Burghley, a feat made possible by her excellent show jumping. Cavalier Crystal has only had 1 pole down in her last 15 internationals (going back to 2021).<br data-start="2617" data-end="2620"><strong data-start="2620" data-end="2661">Owned by Charlotte and Peter Opperman</strong></p>
<p data-start="2104" data-end="2661">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2663" data-end="2666">
<h2 data-start="2668" data-end="2701">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="2668" data-end="2701"><strong data-start="2671" data-end="2699"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/2982ea37-c2ca-4344-80fa-2f4ff432ed6e.jpg?width=1433&amp;height=1048" alt="Commando Resized (1)"></strong></h2>
<h2 data-start="2668" data-end="2701"><strong data-start="2671" data-end="2699">Commando 3 - Boyd Martin</strong></h2>
<p data-start="2702" data-end="3238">Commando 3 is becoming almost as big a name as his rider, which is saying something, because Boyd Martin's social media following could fill a five-star venue. Commando 3 demonstrated exceptional top-level consistency this year, being one of only three horses to achieve two five-star podiums in 2025, securing 2nd at Kentucky and 3rd at Maryland. He also placed 5th at Aachen. Alongside their excellent showjumping, their 2025 standout was the 26 dressage produced at Kentucky in storm conditions.<br data-start="3200" data-end="3203"><strong data-start="3203" data-end="3238">Owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC</strong></p>
<p data-start="2702" data-end="3238">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3240" data-end="3243">
<h2 data-start="3245" data-end="3280">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3245" data-end="3280"><strong data-start="3248" data-end="3280">Time to Decide the Final Two</strong></h2>
<p data-start="3282" data-end="3491">These are four of the best horses out there and each are with a season worthy of silverware. But ERHOTY is decided by the fans and the semi-final votes will determine which two step into the championship round.</p>
<p data-start="3564" data-end="3652" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><strong data-start="3564" data-end="3652" data-is-last-node="">Cast your vote now and help decide the 2025 EquiRatings Horse of the Year Finalists.<br><br>Vote here: </strong><a class="c-link" href="https://equiratings.typeform.com/ERHOTY-SF" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://equiratings.typeform.com/ERHOTY-SF" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://equiratings.typeform.com/ERHOTY-SF</a><br><br></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">📣&nbsp;<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>
<p class="" data-start="287" data-end="580">📲&nbsp;<strong data-start="393" data-end="422">Join our WhatsApp Channel</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGnPJYFHWq9b1iSB647" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real-time insights, straight from the team</a> to your phone &mdash; no noise, just eventing.&nbsp;</p>

EquiRatings Horse of the Year: The Semi-Finals

<p dir="ltr">Very few riders have delivered a season as impressive as <strong>Lara de Liedekerke-Meier&rsquo;s</strong> 2025 campaign. From breaking the all-time single-season win record to claiming historic victories at Boekelo and Le Lion d&rsquo;Angers, she has rewritten expectations of what Belgium can achieve on the world stage. Her 21 wins this year mark not just the peak of her career, but a defining moment for Belgian eventing&rsquo;s rise - one she and her husband, Belgian chef d&rsquo;&eacute;quipe <strong>Kai Steffen-Meier, </strong>are shaping together.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Rewriting the Record Books</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Lara's 21 international wins in 2025 represent the most by any rider in a single season since records began in 2008. The previous benchmark of 15 wins, set by Great Britain's <strong>Piggy March</strong> in 2019, stood for six years before Lara surpassed it midway through the season - and then kept going. Her closest competitor this season, Tamie Smith, finished on ten wins, leaving Lara miles ahead of the field.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/67342b97-a6b5-46a8-aa63-de71bf5cd705.png?width=1240&amp;height=1402" alt="Y I1 Jz Riders With the Most International Wins in a Single Season "></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Season of Historic Victories</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Two of Lara&rsquo;s wins carry particular significance for Belgian eventing. Her 20th came at Boekelo CCI4*-L, where she and the nine-year-old<strong> Kiarado d&rsquo;Arville</strong> became the first Belgian combination ever to win at the venue - a notable turnaround after retiring on cross-country there just a year earlier. Sixth after dressage on 28.4, they added just 0.4 time penalties to move into the lead. For Lara, making her 19th Boekelo appearance &mdash; the most of any rider since 2008 &mdash; the result marked the high point of nearly twenty years of returning to the event.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Win number 21 proved equally historic. At the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion d'Angers, Lara piloted <strong>Tara van het Leliehof </strong>to victory in the six-year-old division, becoming the first Belgian rider ever to claim a world championship title at the event. The win completed a remarkable trio of Belgian firsts, following her victory at Luhm&uuml;hlen CCI5* in 2024 with <strong>Hooney d'Arville, </strong>where she became Belgium's first-ever five-star winner.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Numbers Behind the Dominance</h2>
<p dir="ltr">These headline results are supported by equally compelling underlying numbers. From 70 international runs this season, not only did<strong> Lara de Liedekerke-Meier </strong>win but she had an impressive 30% win rate. Earlier this year, she attributed her success to the sheer volume of rides, noting:</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><em>"If you take into consideration the amount of horses I'm riding per week, I guess I have the highest chance to win some classes."</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">But the numbers disprove Lara&rsquo;s theory. Among riders with the highest volume of international starts, Lara&rsquo;s win rate stands out, coming in 13% higher than the next closest,<strong> Boyd Martin. Tamie Smith (34%) and Ros Canter (30%) </strong>are in a similar range, but both have competed far less. What sets Lara apart is sustaining this win rate over one of the largest campaigns in the sport</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/137a57f4-b589-4090-9a29-001b660cb756.png?width=1484&amp;height=976" alt="V Lt Et Riders With Most Runs This Season and Their Win Rates "></p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/b954aeec-5b17-4a5e-bbf0-6adc65f4bec2.png?width=1464&amp;height=1140" alt="Kj8mq Riders With Most Wins This Season and Their Win Rate Nbsp "></p>
<p dir="ltr">It wasn&rsquo;t just her wins that stood out. Lara delivered 36 podium finishes this season, breaking <strong>Caroline Pamukcu&rsquo;s </strong>2023 record of 29 and setting the highest total in a season since records began in 2008.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/61850510-da2c-4c8c-a1b2-4d9398b53bdd.png?width=1144&amp;height=1320" alt="Aoqx F Riders With the Most International Podiums in a Single Season "></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Building a String for the Future</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Lara&rsquo;s season was also shaped by a deep and successful string, with ten horses recording wins. The standout performer was <strong>Debbi,</strong> an eight-year-old mare who delivered five victories from five international starts - a perfect 100% win rate. From Orp le Grand and Babor&oacute;wko in May through Maarsbergen, Strzegom, and Avenches, <strong>Debbi</strong> recorded the most international wins of any horse this season, matched only by <strong>Lucienne Bellissimo&rsquo;s Dyri.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">One of the most exciting aspect of Lara&rsquo;s winning string is the age profile. Nine of her ten winning horses are nine years old or younger, with only her five-star winner <strong>Hooney d'Arville</strong> older, yet still only twelve. This youthful stable suggests that Lara&rsquo;s surge in international success is sustainable rather than fleeting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Long Road to Dominance</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Her success in 2025 may look unprecedented, but it was built on almost two decades of steady progress. She won her first international in 2007 at her home venue Arville. Through the 2010s she added wins slowly - one or two a year, then a gradual climb to three or four. The breakthrough came only recently: ten wins in 2023, nine in 2024, and a record-breaking 21 in 2025, the result of a program built patiently and methodically over time.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/6e5ae6b7-4670-455a-9b05-5c41294acc17.png?width=1828&amp;height=956" alt="La Yq T Lara De Liedekerke Meier S Wins by Year Nbsp "></p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">A New National Benchmark</h2>
<p dir="ltr">This dominance has also reshaped the Belgian record books. With her 21 wins in 2025, Lara has also overtaken fellow Belgian <strong>Karin Donckers </strong>(51 career wins) to become the Belgian rider with the most international victories since 2008, with her career total now standing at 61 wins.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/e3e7ae68-5ea1-4c09-8153-a33dbc4f2a68.png?width=1168&amp;height=1058" alt="Uqu Tt Belgian Riders With the Most International Wins Nbsp "></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Looking to the Future</h2>
<p dir="ltr">All signs point to further growth ahead. The combination of a deep, talented, youthful string paired with a rider at the peak of her powers suggests that Belgian eventing's golden era is only just beginning. <strong>Lara de Liedekerke-Meier </strong>hasn&rsquo;t just set records in 2025 - she&rsquo;s put herself on a trajectory that could shape international eventing from next year&rsquo;s FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen all the way to LA 2028 and beyond.</p>
<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>
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Lara de Liedekerke-Meier celebrating her Boekelo win

A Season Like No Other: Lara de Liedekerke-Meier’s Impact on Belgian Eventing

<p data-start="430" data-end="851">It&rsquo;s <a href="https://equiratings.typeform.com/Q1-ERHOTY25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here. </a>The 10th edition of EquiRatings Horse of the Year - a decade of data, drama, and fan-powered storytelling - and we&rsquo;re kicking things off with something new. This year, six horses are already nominated for the main ERHOTY bracket, but two more places are still up for grabs. That means four horses step into a special qualifying round, and <strong data-start="792" data-end="850">your <a href="https://equiratings.typeform.com/Q1-ERHOTY25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">votes</a> will decide which two join the final lineup</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="430" data-end="851">Vote <a href="https://equiratings.typeform.com/Q1-ERHOTY25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.&nbsp;</a></p>
<p data-start="853" data-end="1282">ERHOTY has always been about celebrating performance, consistency, and sometimes just the heart horses that we all love. A decade on, the energy feels bigger than ever and this year&rsquo;s field is stacked. The main bracket will run in classic knockout style: quarterfinals, semifinals, and then the big one - the 2025 ERHOTY Final. But before the bracket can begin, we need our last two contenders.</p>
<p data-start="1284" data-end="1334">That&rsquo;s where this week&rsquo;s qualifying vote comes in.</p>
<p data-start="1336" data-end="1490">Below are the four horses bidding to earn their place among the elite six. Their seasons speak for themselves - now it&rsquo;s your turn to decide who advances.</p>
<p data-start="1336" data-end="1490">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 data-start="1497" data-end="1529">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="1497" data-end="1529"><strong data-start="1502" data-end="1527"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/c8422508-0eaa-41cb-aad7-ddfebf7a58e0.jpg?width=2094&amp;height=1431" alt="Cartania Felix Vogg Maryland 2025 (3)"></strong></h2>
<h2 data-start="1497" data-end="1529"><strong data-start="1502" data-end="1527">Cartania &ndash; Felix Vogg</strong></h2>
<p data-start="1530" data-end="1923">Cartania delivered a historic performance by winning the Maryland CCI5*, a victory that made Felix Vogg the first Swiss rider to win two five-stars. Cartania showed stamina and speed in the cross-country, as the only horse at Maryland to make the time that wasn&rsquo;t a pure thoroughbred. Cartania also secured a win in the Nations Cup at Avenches in July.<br data-start="1882" data-end="1885"><strong data-start="1885" data-end="1923">Owned by Phoenix Eventing S.&agrave;.r.l.</strong></p>
<p data-start="1530" data-end="1923">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p data-start="1530" data-end="1923">&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="1530" data-end="1923"><strong data-start="1885" data-end="1923"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/0edf020a-2903-4812-9531-e58a2703e63a.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=1366" alt="Harry Meade Badminton 25 (2)"></strong></p>
<h2 data-start="1930" data-end="1971"><strong data-start="1935" data-end="1969">Cavalier Crystal &ndash; Harry Meade</strong></h2>
<p data-start="1972" data-end="2529">Cavalier Crystal has decided her parking spot is on the five-star podium, cementing her status as one of the most consistent 5* performers with two top placings in 2025 - 4th at Badminton and 3rd at Burghley. She also finished 3rd at Burghley the previous two years (2023, 2024). The pair have FOD&rsquo;ed (finished on their dressage score) at both Badminton and Burghley, a feat made possible by her excellent show jumping. Cavalier Crystal has only had 1 pole down in her last 15 internationals (going back to 2021).<br data-start="2485" data-end="2488"><strong data-start="2488" data-end="2529">Owned by Charlotte and Peter Opperman</strong></p>
<p data-start="1972" data-end="2529">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p data-start="1972" data-end="2529">&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="1972" data-end="2529"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/aa30de27-c1b8-485a-844e-afce761f3295.jpg?width=1433&amp;height=1048" alt="Commando Resized"></p>
<h2 data-start="2536" data-end="2571"><strong data-start="2541" data-end="2569">Commando 3 &ndash; Boyd Martin</strong></h2>
<p data-start="2572" data-end="3108">Commando 3 is becoming almost as big a name as his rider, which is saying something, because Boyd Martin's social media following could fill a five-star venue. Commando 3 demonstrated exceptional top-level consistency this year, being one of only three horses to achieve two five-star podiums in 2025, securing 2nd at Kentucky and 3rd at Maryland. He also placed 5th at Aachen. Alongside their excellent showjumping, their 2025 standout was the 26 dressage produced at Kentucky in storm conditions.<br data-start="3070" data-end="3073"><strong data-start="3073" data-end="3108">Owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC</strong></p>
<p data-start="2572" data-end="3108">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p data-start="2572" data-end="3108">&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="2572" data-end="3108"><strong data-start="3073" data-end="3108"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/652f85c2-cbd0-4f13-aa54-86096ce6582c.jpeg?width=1600&amp;height=1066" alt="Whats App Image 2025 09 20 at 19.31.05 (5)"></strong></p>
<h2 data-start="3115" data-end="3152"><strong data-start="3120" data-end="3150">Quantas R &ndash; Sam Lissington</strong></h2>
<p data-start="3153" data-end="3661">This year, Quantas R established himself as a breakout horse with championship-level potential. This nine-year-old delivered the highest rated performance by an 8/9YO by winning the Blenheim 8/9YO class (CCI4*-S) with a 22.4 dressage. He was the only horse to make the cross-country time and finish on his dressage score (FOD&rsquo;ed) at Blenheim. This followed a previous win in the CCI4*-L at Royal Jump in May and a 5th place at Le Lion d&rsquo;Angers as a 7-year-old (2023).<br data-start="3620" data-end="3623"><strong data-start="3623" data-end="3661">Owned by The High Flyers Syndicate</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://equiratings.typeform.com/Q1-ERHOTY25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vote here</a>.</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3663" data-end="3666">
<h2 data-start="3668" data-end="3707">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="3668" data-end="3707"><strong data-start="3671" data-end="3705">How the Qualifying Round Works</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li data-start="3668" data-end="3707">Four horses are in the qualifier.</li>
<li data-start="3710" data-end="3744">You vote for the two horses you believe belong in ERHOTY&rsquo;s top eight.</li>
<li data-start="3710" data-end="3744">The&nbsp;<strong data-start="3827" data-end="3838">top two</strong> horses from the public vote will move into the 2025 ERHOTY main bracket.</li>
<li data-start="3710" data-end="3744">They&rsquo;ll join the six already-nominated horses for the quarter finals.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong data-start="4124" data-end="4162">Voting closes at midday on Friday.</strong></p>
<p data-start="4165" data-end="4222">Make your vote count - the 10th ERHOTY starts right here.</p>
<p data-start="4165" data-end="4222">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p data-start="4165" data-end="4222">&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="4165" data-end="4222"><em><strong>Listen to the ERHOTY25 Podcast - out now on all major podcast platforms.</strong></em></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39249215/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/30424c/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>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">📣&nbsp;<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>
<p class="" data-start="287" data-end="580">📲&nbsp;<strong data-start="393" data-end="422">Join our WhatsApp Channel</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGnPJYFHWq9b1iSB647" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real-time insights, straight from the team</a> to your phone &mdash; no noise, just eventing.&nbsp;</p>

EquiRatings Horse of the Year 2025: The Qualifying Round Begins

<p>In eventing, a win is not always equal. Dominating a small field on a straightforward track differs vastly from edging out Olympic medalists on a technical five-star course. Traditional scoring tells you who finished first - the High Performance Rating (HPR) tells you how impressive that victory actually was.</p>
<p>The HPR strips away the noise of varying competition formats and field strengths to reveal which performances truly elevated the sport. It's the difference between knowing who won and understanding what winning actually required.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>How is the HPR calculated?</h2>
<p>Traditional scoring only reveals who finished ahead that day. The HPR analyzes the difficulty of achieving that result by weighing multiple variables:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Field strength</strong> accounts for the quality of competitors. Defeating Michael Jung adds substantially more value than beating riders lower in the world rankings.</li>
<li><strong>Course difficulty</strong> measures whether the cross-country time was achievable or punishing, and whether the show jumping caused widespread trouble or rode smoothly for most.</li>
<li><strong>Winning margin</strong> rewards dominance. A 10-penalty victory carries more weight than edging ahead by 0.1.</li>
<li><strong>Conditions</strong> adjust for factors that artificially inflate or deflate scores, such as particularly strict or lenient dressage judging panels.</li>
</ol>
<p>The result: a horse finishing fifth in a fiercely competitive Olympic field might earn a higher HPR than one winning a weaker event against lower-rated opponents. The metric captures performance quality, not just placement.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>How do you read the score?</h2>
<p>The HPR operates on an index system where higher numbers indicate superior performances. The scale provides clear benchmarks:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>113</strong> remains the highest eventing HPR ever recorded, achieved by Lordships Graffalo at the 2023 European Championships.</li>
<li><strong>108+</strong> represents historic, world-beating performances&mdash;the kind that dominate major five-stars like Kentucky or Badminton.</li>
<li><strong>100+</strong> marks elite territory. A score at this level typically wins a major five-star in most competitive years.</li>
<li><strong>90-99</strong> indicates world-class performances, usually resulting in four-star victories or five-star podium finishes.</li>
<li><strong>86+</strong> serves as the benchmark for federations for identifying Pre-Elite horses, marking the threshold for international competitiveness.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>HPR Within the EquiRatings Ecosystem</h2>
<p>The HPR represents one component of EquiRatings' analytical framework. Understanding how it differs from related metrics clarifies its specific purpose:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>HPR (High Performance Rating)</strong> measures the quality of one specific performance - essentially, "how good was that particular ride?"</li>
<li><strong>Elo Rating</strong> tracks long-term consistency and ranking, similar to chess ratings, providing an overall assessment of a horse's competitive level across time.</li>
<li><strong>ERQI (EquiRatings Quality Index)</strong> focuses on risk management, calculating the probability of a horse completing cross-country safely based on historical data.</li>
</ul>
<p>Each metric serves a distinct purpose. The HPR isolates individual brilliance, Elo reveals sustained excellence, and ERQI assesses safety profiles.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>The Top Performances of 2025</h2>
<p>Let's take a look at 2025's top performances.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/323f9777-36b5-452e-b2eb-8137bfc34cad.png?width=1904&amp;height=1186" alt="R9n Yf the Top 10 Hpr S in 2025 "></p>
<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>
<p class="" data-start="287" data-end="580">📲&nbsp;<strong data-start="393" data-end="422">Join our WhatsApp Channel</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGnPJYFHWq9b1iSB647" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real-time insights, straight from the team</a> to your phone &mdash; no noise, just eventing.&nbsp;</p>

What is the High Performance Rating?

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