The Stars of the Summer: Big Wins, Rising Ratings, and Calgary on the Horizon

A Summer to Remember

July and August delivered one of the most compelling stretches of show jumping we’ve seen in recent years. Fourteen five-star Grand Prix classes brought everything from landmark wins to major rating shake-ups, and the Flair Overview Show on the EquiRatings Jumping Podcast unpacked it all.

With the Elo ratings tracking performance strength and the Clears Against Standard (CAS) metric highlighting who delivers when the tracks get tough, this summer revealed both new contenders and resurgent veterans as we roll toward the next Rolex Major in Calgary.

Brussels Breakthrough for Nina Mallevaey

Perhaps the biggest headline came from Brussels, where France’s Nina Mallevaey claimed her first-ever five-star Grand Prix victory with Dynastie de Beaufour. It was a win full of emotion and substance. The horse jumped ten Elo points to reach 760, moving into the world’s top 25 and becoming the third-highest rated horse in France.

This victory capped off a season where Mallevaey has been almost unstoppable. Thirteen international wins, twenty-five podium finishes, and a string of talented horses have made her the standout U25 rider in the sport right now. With France giving increasing opportunities to its younger stars, the summer of 2025 might be remembered as the moment a new generation truly arrived.

The U.S. Riders on Fire

The United States delivered a run of results that confirmed its depth at the top level. Laura Kraut and Bisquetta lit up Dublin with a one-clear-round masterclass, while Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 finally secured their long-awaited five-star Grand Prix win in Dinard.

Add Adrienne Sternlicht’s victory in Ottawa and Kent Farrington’s consistent form with Greya,  it’s clear the U.S. squad enters Calgary carrying both confidence and momentum. Few would be surprised to see this summer’s streak continue under the biggest lights.

Elo Rankings: Class at the Top, Pressure Rising Below

At the top of the Elo table, King Edward retains his position on 813 points despite a quieter competition schedule. But the gap is tightening. Point Break, Beauville Z N.O.P., Ermitage Kalone, and United Touch S all posted major summer results to close in on the world number one.

Horses like Checker 47 and Dynastie de Beaufour climbed significantly, while experienced names such as Monaco and Donatello d’Auge held their ground. The ratings now set up Calgary as a genuine clash between established legends and form horses on the rise.

Horses on Form: Reading the CAS Metric

The CAS metric adjusts clear rates for course difficulty, making it the best measure of who performs when tracks bite back. Iron Dames Singclair tops the summer list with an 80% clear rate at 1.60 meters, while Highland President and Imagine N.O.P. also stood out with strong scores on demanding courses.

Dynastie de Beaufour and Cayman Jolly Jumper combined climbing ratings with consistent clears, suggesting they will remain influential players as the season heads toward its peak.

All Eyes on Calgary

Now the focus turns to Calgary’s Rolex Grand Slam leg, where history, ratings, and form collide. Leonie Jei and Martin Fuchs, already the most decorated Grand Slam combination ever, return with a chance to add another major to their collection.

But they won’t have it easy. Christian Kukuk’s Checker 47 looks primed after a carefully managed summer, Ben Maher’s Dallas Vegas Batilly carries rising ratings and big performances, and United Touch S arrives fresh from a European Championship win with something to prove on the vast Spruce Meadows field. Add the in-form U.S. riders and France’s emerging stars, and Calgary could be the most open major of the decade.

Final Thoughts

This summer delivered everything: breakthrough moments, rising stars, national hot streaks, and high-stakes storylines. As the Flair Overview Show highlighted, the sport feels wide open right now. Whether it’s Elo rankings at the top, CAS performances under pressure, or the Grand Slam narrative rolling into Calgary, the next chapter promises to be unmissable.