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<p>You can&rsquo;t beat a championship feeling when you want to zone into your sport and get completely absorbed by top level action for a weekend. The World Cup Finals present that opportunity and, if like past me, you love and admire the game, but you constantly find yourself a step behind the current horses in the sport, then here&rsquo;s your one-stop round-up of who the greats are right now and who is likely to become the next World Cup champ.</p>
<h1>The Finals Trend</h1>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/495e9822-4e2b-4f07-8eb2-0564bc6af733.png?width=1632&amp;height=1208" alt="J J N7 E Day 1 Position of the World Cup Finals Champions Since 2010"></p>
<p>Stats and trends can be indicators, but they can also mislead. When it comes to the last six World Cup champions, they ALL won the opening class of the finals.&nbsp;</p>
<p>When six consecutive winners all have something in common, it creates a hugely misleading feeling of certainty. Yes, the first day really matters. You will hear &lsquo;there&rsquo;s still a long way to go&rsquo;, but it&rsquo;s a huge advantage to be leading after day one.</p>
<p>But here&rsquo;s the difference with EquiRatings. We hear phrases like &lsquo;could win&rsquo;, &lsquo;huge chance&rsquo; and &lsquo;big advantage&rsquo; all the time. But can we actually quantify these phrases? If we don&rsquo;t, then we fall into the trap of either over-emphasising or under-valuing.&nbsp;</p>
<p>So before and after each day of the World Cup Finals this year, check out the EquiRatings Prediction Centre for quantified win and podium chances. I suspect the day one leader will still be more likely to lose than win the overall final (less than 50% win chance).</p>
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<h1>The Main Contenders</h1>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/b3dfd65f-7ad8-46e3-a0b5-c833197c5283.png?width=1372&amp;height=1814" alt="Bp3a Q Fei Jumping World Cup Finals Basel 2025 the 10 to Watch (1)"></p>
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<h3>Beauville Z: The Bronze Legend Ready for Gold</h3>
<p>With the reigning back-to-back winning horse, King Edward, on duty stateside for the World Number One, the favourite is going to be the second highest rated horse in the world - Beauville Z. This Dutch legend is a history maker, with three individual medals at Tokyo, Herning and Paris Olympic and World Championships. His three bronze medals show his quality and consistency, but this is an opportunity to take a major title.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Point Break: The Sport's Next Superstar?</h3>
<p>The horse producing sensational form over the past six months is Ben Maher&rsquo;s Point Break. His 12 clears from 14 rounds in the last 6 months is what history tells us is an unsustainable clear rate of 86%. His career clear rate at 5* 160 is 63% - 5% higher than Beauville&rsquo;s (58%) - which is a jaw dropping number in this game. This horse is making a bid to become the number one horse in the sport over the coming seasons, and a win here would boost that effort significantly. &nbsp;</p>
<h3>United Touch S: Unbeaten against the Clock</h3>
<p>United Touch S has a career clear rate of 45%, but his form (55%) and expected clear rate (52%) suggest he is a better horse now than he was earlier in his career at this level. His super power is speed in jump-offs - whenever he has jumped clear against the clock he has never been beaten. 11 jump-offs at the highest level, 6 clears and 6 wins. Outrageous. He&rsquo;s a great contender to lead on day one, but he is slightly more vulnerable to a rail than his leading rivals.</p>
<h3>Leone Jei vs. Elektric Blue Ps: The Rivalry We Need</h3>
<p>There is very little between Leone Jei (Martin Fuchs) and Elektric Blue P (Max Kuhner). The latter has jumped 105 rounds at 5* 160 level (insane!) with 57 clears - a rate of 54%. The same career clear rate for Leone is 53%. There is almost nothing between them on ratings and when you look at their top level head-to-head history, the pair have clashed 29 times at the highest level. Leone has come out on top 15 times, 13 for Elektric Blue P and there is one draw (a nations cup where they both jumped double clear). Sport needs rivalries - this one has depth and it&rsquo;s a close call.</p>
<h3>Iliana: Defending the Title, but a Big Ask Ahead</h3>
<p>On ratings, the reigning champion is up against it with Iliana - but they won their home Grand Prix in Gothenburg in February and they have big performances in the locker. Consistency over the three days will be their challenge.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Donatello d'Auge: Fast, Fearless &amp; Dangerous on Day One</h3>
<p>Another key contender for a day one victory is the speedster Donatello D&rsquo;Auge for Julien Epaillard. His form and career clear rate at the top level both come in at 45% - to win this they probably need a minimum of 4 clears from 5 rounds (80%).</p>
<h3>Bond Jamesbond de Hay: Quietly Building a Serious Case</h3>
<p>Gregory Wathelet&rsquo;s Bond Jamesbond De Hay boasts impressive form (86%) and an impressive career rate at 57% - 25 clears from 47 rounds.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Iron Dames My Prins: The Underdog to Watch</h3>
<p>Sophie Hinners is a name that everyone should know by now, but she&rsquo;s arguably the underdog of these top riders in terms of history and reputation. The stats and ratings for Iron Dames My Prins give robust evidence to her being a genuine contender here.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The World Cup Finals never fail to deliver drama, brilliance, and a touch of unpredictability&mdash;and this year&rsquo;s line-up is stacked with storylines. From legendary medal-winners to rising stars, tactical competitors to underdog contenders, the stage is set for a spectacle of the sport&rsquo;s elite.</p>
<p>If you want to stay one step ahead throughout the competition, make sure you&rsquo;re following the data. The EquiRatings Prediction Centre will update the win and podium chances each day&mdash;quantifying the hype, the form, and the shifting odds of becoming the next World Cup champion.</p>

FEI World Cup Finals 2025: The Numbers Behind the Sport

<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/fd84bb36-33a4-4024-acbe-7ac10184cc19.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="2"><br><br>The last 6 World Cup Champions were leaders after the First Competition on Day 1 of the Finals. While Day 1 leaders will often hear &lsquo;there&rsquo;s still a long way to go&rsquo;, it can be a huge advantage to be leading after day one.<br>Yet, it can also create a false feeling of certainty...</p>
<p>All eyes on tomorrow&rsquo;s First Final Competition &amp; whether this streak will continue.</p>

The Day One Leader to World Cup Champion Pipeline

<p>Since its inaugural edition in 1979, the FEI Jumping World Cup Final has been one of the most iconic and sought-after indoor titles in show jumping. With elite riders, unforgettable rivalries, and legendary horses, it has written some of the sport's most memorable chapters. As we head into the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals in Basel, it's the perfect moment to look back at the riders and nations who have shaped its legacy.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/956967d6-a125-467c-969b-36865756aa52.png?width=1548&amp;height=2868" alt="Qec Gu All the World Cup Finals Champions Since 1979"></p>
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<h1>The Legends Club: Riders with Three Titles</h1>
<p><em>Only five riders in the event's 45-year history have managed to claim the trophy three times.</em></p>
<h3>Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA)</h3>
<p>Rodrigo Pessoa is widely regarded as one of the World Cup Finals&rsquo; greatest icons. He remains the only rider to have ever claimed three consecutive titles, a feat he achieved with the legendary chestnut stallion, Baloubet du Rouet. He is one of just two horses who have ever won three World Cup Finals in their career.</p>
<p>The pair came dangerously close to claiming a fourth consecutive victory in the 2001 Gothenburg Finals, falling just short in a thrilling two-combination jump-off against Markus Fuchs and Tinka&rsquo;s Boy in Gothenburg.</p>
<h3><br>Marcus Ehning (GER)</h3>
<p>Marcus Ehning has etched his name in World Cup history with three titles won aboard four different horses over seven years. He first triumphed in 2003 on Anka 191 in Las Vegas, followed by a 2006 win in Kuala Lumpur with Sandro Boy. In 2010, he returned to the top of the podium with the help of Plot Blue and Noltes Kuechengirl.</p>
<p>Remarkably, Marcus is the only three-time champion competing in the 2025 Final&mdash;and the only rider with the chance to become a four-time winner.</p>
<h3><br>Steve Guerdat (SUI)</h3>
<p>Steve Guerdat is the most recent addition to the three-title club, and just like Marcus Ehning showcased his consistency with three different horses. His first victory dates back to exactly a decade ago when he rode Albf&uuml;hren&rsquo;s Paille to the win in Las Vegas. The following year, he rode Corbinian to World Cup Final victory in Gothenburg to score back-to-back wins. For his third win, Guerdat counted on Alamo to take the win in the birthplace of World Cup Finals in Gothenburg.</p>
<p>Though he qualified for the 2025 Final in Basel, Guerdat will miss the event due to a recent surgery that has sidelined him for several months.</p>
<h3><br>Hugo Simon (AUT)</h3>
<p>The first rider to ever win three World Cup Final titles was Austrian rider Hugo Simon. He was the winner of the inaugural World Cup finals in Gothenburg in 1979 riding Gladstone. Then followed a 17-year wait for his next win of this championship. Aboard E.T. FRH, he took back-to-back victories in the 1996 Geneva Finals and the 1997 Gothenburg Finals.</p>
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<h3>Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER)</h3>
<p>Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is the only female rider to ever win three World Cup Finals. For all three victories, she counted on her trusty partner, Shutterfly. They won the Finals in Las Vegas in 2005 and 2009, but also claimed a win in 2008 in Gothenburg.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Defending Champion Returns</h1>
<p>Henrik von Eckermann captured the world when he captured back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 in the saddle of the world&rsquo;s top-rated horse, King Edward.</p>
<p>In 2025, Henrik returns to chase a third consecutive title&mdash;but this time without his iconic partner. His chosen mount for Basel is Iliana. Can she rise to the occasion and help Henrik equal Rodrigo Pessoa&rsquo;s historic three-peat from a quarter-century ago?</p>
<h1><br>Nation vs Nation: USA leads the charge</h1>
<p>In the 44 editions of the Final to date, the United States has emerged victorious 11 times&mdash;claiming a full quarter of the titles. Germany trails just behind with 10 wins, keeping the transatlantic rivalry alive and well.</p>
<h1><br>Looking Ahead to Basel 2025</h1>
<p>As anticipation builds for Basel 2025, follow our channels for exclusive updates, storylines, and data insights on the combinations vying for their place in World Cup history.</p>

FEI World Cup Final

FEI World Cup Finals 2025: The Numbers Behind the Sport

The Day One Leader to World Cup Champion Pipeline

45 Years of FEI Jumping World Cup Finals: Legends, Streaks & Basel 2025

Stay Ahead with EquiRatings Insights