Meet the most in-form horses of 2023

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 in-form horses of 2023, we look at the horses who have built up the highest CAS value at CSI4* & CSI5* level over courses at 150 and above.

Odense Odeveld

Rider: Emanuele Camilli
Breeder: Caroline de Laet (Stal Odeveld)

Odense Odeveld is without a doubt one of the breakthrough horses of 2023. Only making his five-star 160 debut in June, Odense Odeveld proved to be a quick learner. The following month, the pair represented Italy in the Nations Cup of Sweden in Falsterbo and produced a double clear round. To lock in their form, they then continued the weekend by climbing the podium in the CSIO5* Grand Prix of Falsterbo, which was only Odense’s second ever five-star Grand Prix. 

These results put the combination on the radar for the Italian team selection committee, as they were selected to represent the home nation at the FEI Jumping European Championships in Milan, where they secured a spot in the individual final, but decided to withdraw.

After a short break, the pair returned to upper-level jumping in stellar form. A flight to Mexico in November proved worth the trip as they picked up a 150 victory followed up by a runner-up finish in the CSI5* Grand Prix two days later. At their most recent outing, Emanuele and Odense collected yet another podium finish, this time in the World Cup of Riyadh two weeks ago.

Odense Odeveld is a great addition to the Italian team. Despite his young age, the bay gelding has picked up valuable experience in the past year, jumping 44 rounds at CSI4* and CSI5* over 150 or above. As he remained clear in 25 of them, and the average number of clears for those courses was only just under 12, Odense Odeveld has concluded 2023 on a CAS value of 13.3, higher than any other horse.

Dynamix de Belheme

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 28%. However, this pair produced almost 11 more clears than their average competitor.

What is interesting to observe is that, from 25 rounds jumped, Dynamix de Belheme produced 18 clears, while Dzara Dorchival jumped 19 clears. Still Dynamix is awarded a higher CAS value than Dzara. This is due to the average clear rate of the courses they competed in. The average clear rate of Dynamix’ rounds is 28%, while Dzara competed in classes where the average clear rate was 36%. Because Dynamix competed in tougher classes than Dzara, her CAS value will be higher.

Dourados 2

Rider: Duarte Seabra
Breeder: Gretel Schulze-Buxloh

This is another young star that has shown great consistency throughout the 2023 season. This pair started their season off with great success in the Middle East where they had already picked up two podium spots in 4* and 5* World Cups, before they continued their travels to the Sunshine Tour and Europe to carry on their success. This allowed them to be selected for the European Championships in Milan to represent the Portuguese team. 

While they were mostly active at four-star level this year, Dourados has proven to be able to hold his own around the world’s biggest tracks, sporting a 40% clear rate at CSI5* 160 level (4/10).