EquiRatings Horse of the Year 2025: The Qualifying Round Begins

It’s here. The 10th edition of EquiRatings Horse of the Year - a decade of data, drama, and fan-powered storytelling - and we’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 your votes will decide which two join the final lineup. 

Vote here.

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’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.

That’s where this week’s qualifying vote comes in.

Below are the four horses bidding to earn their place among the elite six. Their seasons speak for themselves - now it’s your turn to decide who advances.

Cartania – Felix Vogg

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’t a pure thoroughbred. Cartania also secured a win in the Nations Cup at Avenches in July.
Owned by Phoenix Eventing S.à.r.l.

Cavalier Crystal – Harry Meade

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’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).
Owned by Charlotte and Peter Opperman

Commando 3 – Boyd Martin

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.
Owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC

Quantas R – Sam Lissington

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’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’Angers as a 7-year-old (2023).
Owned by The High Flyers Syndicate

Vote here.

How the Qualifying Round Works

• Four horses are in the qualifier.
• You vote for the two horses you believe belong in ERHOTY’s top eight.
• The top two horses from the public vote will move into the 2025 ERHOTY main bracket.
• They’ll join the six already-nominated horses for the quarter finals.

Voting closes at midday on Friday.

Make your vote count - the 10th ERHOTY starts right here.

Listen to the ERHOTY25 Podcast - out now on all major podcast platforms.

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