The Best Rated Performances of 2025... So Far

What is the High Performance Rating (HPR)?

The HPR is an EquiRatings metric designed to measure the true quality of a performance. It accounts for key variables such as the strength of the field, winning margins, and course difficulty. This is important because not all wins or scores are equal — HPR shines a light on those standout performances that rise above the rest, offering an objective gauge of which horses are delivering their very best results at the right time.

The Best HPR's in 2025

1. Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo – HPR: 108, 1st place Badminton CCI5*-L (25.3)

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo HPR of 108 performance stands as the season's pinnacle – though only just, beating Michael Jung's Kentucky effort by a mere 0.2 points. Despite leaking a few marks in the dressage phase, they moved from fourth to first by finishing on their dressage score. They came into Badminton as EquiRatings Prediction Centre favourites and held that status throughout, even though they only took the lead in the final 20 seconds of the entire competition. Sometimes the best performances are the ones that keep you holding your breath until the very end.

2. Michael Jung & fischerChipmunk FRH – HPR: 108, 1st place Kentucky CCI5*-L (25.0)

A commanding win at Kentucky earned Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH a HPR of 108 – remarkably, this only represents the 8th best performance in Jung's career and his 5th best with Chip. This combination led the dressage with 18.6 - the best CCI5* dressage score at Kentucky since our records began in 2008. Despite adding some penalties along the way, no one could touch them, finishing 7.8 marks ahead of Boyd Martin and Commando 3.

3. Oliver Townend & Cooley Rosalent – HPR: 107, 1st place Burnham Market CCI4*-S (25.6)

Cooley Rosalent has posted two HPRs of 107 in her only two international outings this season. Her Burnham Market performance earned an impressive 107 – making these Oliver Townend's highest-rated performances since records began in 2008. Even with nine five-star wins, none of those reached this level, with HPRs ranging from 93 to 102. 

4. Oliver Townend & Cooley Rosalent – HPR: 107, 2nd place Badminton CCI5*-L (26.3)

Rosalent's second appearance in our top 10 comes from her Badminton effort. Despite the heartbreaking fence down which handed the win to Ros Canter, Rosalent still came out with a HPR of 107.

5. Tom McEwen & JL Dublin – HPR: 106, 1st place Thoresby Park CCI4*-S (24.5)

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin scored an impressive 106 when they won the CCI4*-S at Thoresby Park. This represents their highest-rated performance together, surpassing even their three five-star podium finishes and their 4th place at the Paris Olympics. It's a perfect example of how HPR captures pure performance quality regardless of the competition level, importance, or prize money involved.

6. Gemma Stevens & Jalapeno – HPR: 106, 2nd place Thoresby Park CCI4*-S (24.6)

With 445 international career runs for Gemma since 2008, this HPR of 106 stands as her best performance on record. They finished on their dressage score of 24.6 to take second place, just behind Tom McEwen and JL Dublin who sit just above them on this list. 

7. Laura Collett & London 52 – HPR: 106, 1st place Bicton CCI4*-S (20.9)

Laura Collett and London 52's Bicton performance earned them a HPR of 106. London 52 finished on a score of 20.9 at Bicton's CCI4*-S at the end of May – the third-best finishing score on British soil since 2008. Who holds the top two spots? None other than Laura and London 52 themselves.

8. Laura Collett & London 52 – HPR: 105, 3rd place Thoresby Park CCI4*-S (25.2)

London 52's second appearance in our top 10 comes from Thoresby Park, where they achieved an HPR of 105. I am sure there was dissapointment when she lost the win by adding 0.8 time penalties cross country, but it was still A standout performance neverthe less.

9. Tim Price & Vitali – HPR: 104, 1st place Aachen CCI4*-S (30.5)

Tim Price and Vitali's Aachen victory represents something truly special in New Zealand eventing history. With a HPR of 104, this performance stands as Tim's best in 280 top-level starts (CCI4*/5*) since HPR records began – just edging out his previous best: winning Pau 5* and his bronze medal at the World Championships. 

10. Brandon Schäfer-Gehrau & Cadorico – HPR: 103, 1st place Luhmühlen CCI2*-S (19.7)

Brandon Schäfer-Gehrau and Cadorico's performance at Luhmühlen earned them a HPR of 103, making this the only performance in our top 10 that isn't from the highest levels of the sport. This represents the highest HPR of Brandon's career, which has already been remarkably busy with 138 international starts at only 25 years old. Their dressage score of 18.1 was the lowest international dressage score achieved by any rider this year. Remarkably, his second-best HPR (also a 103) came at the same event in the same class with Luxury From Second Life Z where he finished in 2nd to himself.

What's particularly striking about this year's mis-season list is the dominance of British combinations, occupying 7 of the top 10 spots and showcasing the incredible depth of talent in British eventing.

As we move through the remainder of 2025, these performances set the benchmark for what exceptional eventing looks like. They remind us that in this sport, it's not just about...