The 50% Club: Elite Consistency at Five-Star Level
A deep dive into the most reliable riders at five-star 1.60m over the past 12 months.
In a sport where consistency is king, only four riders have managed to maintain a clear round rate above 50% at five-star 160 level over the past year. Let's dive into the numbers that set these partnerships apart.
The reliability of Malin Baryard-Johnsson & H&M Indiana at the highest level has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Swedish combination has produced an impressive 54% clear rate, delivering 13 clears from 24 rounds. Their record gains even more weight considering only four rounds resulted in more than 5 penalties, showcasing remarkable consistency when the fences stand at their highest.
Speaking of Swedish excellence, Henrik von Eckermann has been one of the busiest athletes at this level. Across 68 rounds with six different horses, he's maintained a 53% clear rate - translating to 36 fault-free performances. King Edward leads his string with a phenomenal 76% clear rate, while Iliana adds depth with 52%. The statistics reveal one complexity in this impressive record: 18% of rounds ended with more than 8 penalties, showing that even the sport's very best aren't immune to occasional difficulties.
Belgium's Gregory Wathelet has found his formula for success, achieving a 51% clear rate from 37 rounds spread across five horses. Bond Jamesbond de Hay stands out as his most prolific partner, converting 11 of 18 rounds into clears at the highest level.
Rounding out this elite group is Germany's Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, whose 50% clear rate tells only half the story. The true highlight lies in her consistency, with only three rounds incurring 5 or more penalties across all her five-star 160 starts. This reliability proved crucial in the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames' victory in the 2024 GCL season, particularly valuable in competitions without drop scores.
