Six 9-Year-Old Eventers to Watch This Season

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.

1. MGH Zabaione

Rider: Padraig McCarthy (IRL)

Owners: Di Brunsden, Peter Cattell & 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’t wait to see what 2025 might have in store for this young superstar.

Padraig McCarthy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

2. Cooley Mosstown

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’s never had a cross country jumping fault in any of his 13 international XC runs. And 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.

3. Corimiro

Rider: Sarah Bullimore (GBR)

Owners: Brett Bullimore, Bruce Saint, Christopher & 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 – we can always say “what if” in eventing but watch this space for 2025.

4. Kiarado d’Arville

Rider: Lara de Leidekerke-Meier (BEL)

Owners: FIVE STAR EVENTERS sprl & LARGA sprl

With Lara de Leidekerke-Meier, Kiarado d’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’Arville begins his 2025 season as the #4 nine-year-old in the world based on his EquiRatings Elo rating (604).  

“He’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’s a contender for me for Aachen 2026 World Championships”. - Lara

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

5. Jaguars Duende 

Rider: Sharon White (USA)

Owners: Sharon White

Sharon White’s Jaguars Duende starts 2025 as the highest rated nine-year-old in the USA according to the EquiRatings Elo rating and the #5 nine-year-old in the world (Elo 603). Of the mare’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* is one of the most highly anticipated developments of the year, with 2025 shaping up to be a breakthrough season for this talented mare.

6. C-Let’s Dance van de Beemd

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 C-Let’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.

“Ned is one of the most talented horses I’ve ridden. I’ll take my time with him because I think if I get it right then he’ll be a serious one for the future. He’ll do another CCI3*-L before hopefully stepping up later in the season.” - Laura

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