A November to Remember: Records, Milestones & Rising Stars

November carved its place in show jumping history with unprecedented streaks, milestone achievements, and rising stars making their mark. From unbeaten veterans to nine-year-old sensations, this month showcased the sport's depth and brilliance across three continents

United Touch’s Unstoppable November

November has been an incredibly successful month for the sensational pair that is Richard Vogel & United Touch S. In only their second Western European World Cup qualifier together, they claimed their second victory in Lyon. 

Their success streak didn’t end there. Two years after their victory in the World Cup qualifier on home soil in Stuttgart, the pair entered the competition as favourites to win once more. Carrying on on the form from Lyon, they claimed victory there once more. From the three Western European World Cup qualifiers, Vogel & United Touch S have competed in, they have won every one.

Their upward trajectory on the highest level has allowed United Touch S to significantly increase their Elo rating and enter the elite group of Top 5 rated horses in the world with an Elo rating of 778. To this day, United Touch S has won every five-star 160 jump-off he has jumped clear in.

Smolders’ Silver Linings: Monaco’s Remarkable Record

Stuttgart proved fruitful ground for the incredible Dutch pair that is Harrie Smolders & his loyal partner, Monaco N.O.P. 
After finishing second in Friday’s Grand Prix, they were the runners up to Richard Vogel & United Touch S in the World Cup qualifier. 

While Smolders & Monaco have yet to claim a victory at five-star 160 level, their record of runner-up finishes at this level is nothing short of outstanding. On 11 occasions, they have finished second on some of our sport’s biggest stages.

On an Elo rating of 766, Monaco N.O.P. ranks just outside the Top 10 Elo-rated horses in the world.

Forza Italia: The Odense Odeveld Story

On the topic of impressive records & runner-up finishes, we cannot ignore Emanuele Camilli & Odense Odeveld. Odense Odeveld is one of the Top 5 highest-rated 10-year-old horses in the world and despite his young age has already represented Italy at two major championships: the European Championships on home soil in Milan and at the Paris Olympic Games.

Over the course of the 2024 season, the pair have claimed two second place finishes in CSI5* Grands Prix in Mexico.

Italy has claimed their spot in the 2025 season of the Longines League of Nations. As Odense Odeveld currently ranks as the second-highest rated horse in Italy on an Elo rating of 746, he will likely be a key player on that circuit. 

Madrid Magic: Bucci’s Breakthrough

Emanuele Camili & Odense Odeveld are not the only players that have earned Italy their spot on the Longines League of Nations 2025 season. In the World Cup qualifier of Madrid, Piergiorgio Bucci & Hantano claimed their first-ever World Cup victory.

With an Elo rating of 717, Hantano is now the #3 rated horse in Italy.

The Nine-Year-old Wonder: Foxy’s Final Flourish

We cannot talk about outstanding November moments, without mentioning Victor Bettendorf & Foxy de la Roque’s sensational victory in the LGCT Super Grand Prix of Riyadh, beating some of the sport’s most established combinations. At just nine years old, Foxy de la Roque has followed an extraordinary ascent to the upper level. 

She has only competed in four five-star competitions in her career, she has already won four of the five 160 classes she has competed in. With this outstanding record, she has boosted herself to become the joint highest-rated 9-year-old horse in the world.

After Bettendorf & Foxy’s win in Riyadh, it was announced that the CHI Geneva would be their last competition together, as Foxy de la Roque will move to the stables of US Team Olympic Silver medalist, Karl Cook.

The American Dream: Caracole de la Roque & Karl Cook

The same weekend his new acquisition won the LGCT Super Grand Prix, Karl Cook won the World Cup qualifier on home soil in Arcadia on a different de la Roque home-bred, Caracole de la Roque. 

This pair have had an incredibly successful 2024 season with a highlight at the Paris Olympic Games, where they were a last-minute substitute and performed exceptionally to help Team USA claim the Olympic Team Silver medal. They were one of just three horses to enter the Individual Final on an entirely clean slate.

With 9 clears at five-star 160 from 13 rounds jumped in 2024, they maintain an impressive clear rate of 69%. Caracole de la Roque is the joint highest-rated horse in the USA with an Elo rating of 766.

Three Times a Charm: Greya’s Grand Prix Hattrick

Caracole de la Roque shares her title of highest Elo-rated horse in the USA with Greya. In November, Kent Farrington & Greya claimed their third Grand Prix victory of the year in the CSI4* of Wellington. Earlier this year, they had already claimed victories in the Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule & in the World Cup qualifier of Traverse City.

Greya’s Elo rating of 766 also makes her the second-highest rated 10-year-old horse in the world. 

Point Break’s Power Play

The only 10-year-old horse in the world to currently rank higher in the Elo ratings than Greya, is Point Break. After a run of successes, Ben Maher's Point Break has built an Elo rating of 768 to not only go to the top of the 10-year-old rating, but has also broken through the Top 10 of the overall ratings.

After a five-star victory in Lyon, followed by a second place finish in the World Cup of Verona and four five-star 160 clears added to their record during the GCL Super Cup in Riyadh, Point Break is a horse to keep an eye on as we head into CHI Geneve.

Century Club; Beauville’s Elite Milestone

In last weekend’s World Cup of Madrid, the double Olympic medalists Maikel van der Vleuten & Beauville Z N.O.P. completed their 100th round at five-star 160 level. 
After producing their 57th career clear at this level, they claimed their 14th individual podium finish with a third place. They are currently the 34th combination to reach the milestone of 100 five-star 160 rounds since 2010.

With an Elo rating of 789, Beauville Z N.O.P is the second-highest rated horse in the world. It is the highest rating Beauville has ever achieved & earns him a spot in the All-Time Top 10.

The King’s Path to 100

To match Maikel van de Vleuten & Beauville Z N.O.P. 's milestone, Henrik von Eckerman & King Edward are due to jump their 100th five-star 160 in La Coruna this weekend. So far, they have jumped 65 of those rounds clear and are going for their 66th clear at this level to bring their career clear rate to 66%.

With a current Elo rating of 814, King Edward is by far the highest-rated horse in the entire world. Earlier this year, the King achieved an Elo rating of 822, a record unmatched by any other horse.