Who are the Most Consistent Five-Star 160 Horses of 2023?
The Dutch have two of the most dependable 160 jumpers on their team.
Over the course of 2023, we were lucky to have seen multiple strong horses and riders produce incredible results around the globe. The EquiRatings Clears Against Standard (CAS) metric compares each horse to their average competitors and establishes how far above or below average a particular horse is. As we discuss some of the most consistent upper-level horses of 2023, we look at the horses who have built up the highest CAS value CSI5* 160 level.
Beauville N.O.P. Z: The Multi-Medalist Maintains his Form
Rider: Maikel van der Vleuten
Breeder: Pascal Habets
This horse no longer needs an introduction. Claiming individual bronze at both the latest Olympic Games and World Championships, Beauville has largely proven his capabilities. Now he completes another year as the most solid horse on the five-star circuit.
The Dutch pair had a strong season on the LGCT circuit claiming three podium places, including a victory in Cannes. Over the course of the year, Beauville competed in 29 five-star 160 competitions which had an average clear rate of almost 25%, yet the bay gelding maintained a clear rate of 55% over those courses. The Dutch pair jumped almost 9 (8.8) more clear rounds than their average competitor, the highest we have seen at this level in 2023.
Dynamix de Belheme: The European Champion Holds Her Own Among Experienced Horses
Rider: Steve Guerdat
Breeder: Frederic Aimez
Steve and Dynamix gave us one of the greatest sporting moments of 2023 as they produced a picture-perfect European Championship in Milan last summer. As the only combination to complete five rounds of jumping without knocking a single rail, they were deservedly crowned Individual European Champions.
Their consistency was not just reserved for the Europeans. With 18 five-star 160 rounds jumped in 2023 and 13 completed with a zero on the scoreboard, Dynamix maintained a clear rate of 72%. A number that very few have managed to match. The average clear rate for the courses Steve and Dynamix competed in is just over 30%. However, this pair produced 7.5 more clears than their average competitor.
Monaco N.O.P.: A Regular on Five-Star Podiums
Rider: Harrie Smolders
Breeder: Ralf Lütje
If anything, Monaco N.O.P. has once again proven just how consistent he is in 2023. By persistently claiming a spot on upper-level podiums, Harrie’s bay partner has managed to build his Elo rating to become the current second-highest rated horse in the world. Despite being a regular visitor of the podium, the pair has yet to make the step up to claim a victory. This doesn’t take away from the fact that Harrie and Monaco have collected five podium finishes in five-star Grand Prix in 2023 alone.
From the 25 five-star 160 tracks that Monaco competed in over the course of 2023, 14 have been completed on a clean sheet. As the standard number of clears for those courses would have been almost 7, Monaco has produced over 7 extra clear rounds.
Experience versus Youth
While this list contains big names like Beauville N.O.P. Z, Monaco N.O.P. and H&M Indiana, horses that have been competing on the upper-level circuit for several years, we also see some younger, less experienced horses feature. Dynamix de Belheme and Zineday, for example, proved to hold their own among strong opponents at the European Championships.
While we hope to see the older generation of horses for many years to come, it is great to see and celebrate the young talent that is already emerging.