Ahead of Friday’s FULL DAY OF DRESSAGE (yayyy…) at Les 5 Étoiles de Pau, we’ve got your primer to this absolutely stacked field ready for viewing as you follow along! You can find more information using the link list below.
We’ve been toying around with a few new updates to our Form Guides. For Maryland this year, we’ve got the Form Guide arranged as follows:
Below, you’ll find a quick write-up on each pair in the 5* field’s recent form leading up to this weekend. If you click here, you can also view much more on each and every horse in the field if you really want to dig in. This way, you can still view the Form Guide somewhat in it’s traditional form, but if you’re a real rabbit hole diver, the opportunity is there.
As always, we really appreciate your feedback on our Form Guides as we continue to work to improve them! You can always send us your thoughts [email protected].
Want to see more stats on the field? Be sure to check out the EquiRatings Prediction Center here, and you can also play Eventing Manager this week here.
[Click here to view EN’s Horse & Rider Wiki]
The entries are listed in Drawn Order for ease of following as the competition goes.
EN is proud to welcome Horsepal onboard as the sponsor of our Pau coverage! Horsepal is a newly-launched heart rate monitor brought to you by Tom MacGuinness, founder of Horseware and an FEI eventer and endurance rider, who’s brought his decades of knowledge to practice in the design of Horsepal. You can now purchase Horsepal directly to the UK and Europe — learn more here.
Les 5 Etoiles de Pau (France): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Horsepal]
1: Jonelle Price (NZL) and Grappa Nera
Grappa Nera might be small in stature, but she’s big on talent — and with Jonelle Price in the tack, she’s proven herself a serious 5* contender time and again — not least when taking the win at Pau in 2022. “Grape” is a classic example of Jonelle’s type: feisty, fast, and full of fire. While she can be unpredictable in the first phase, mid-30s score have become the norm rather than the exception in recent years, though she is still prone to a rail or two on the final day, which has cost them a few places on more than one occasion.
[View Grappa Nera’s full profile here]
2: Bubby Upton and (GBR) Cola
From U25 Championship titles to top 10 5* finishes, Cola has been a top campaigner for Bubby for several years now; she has previously described as akin to an “old pair of slippers” — comforting and ever reliable. Hence, he was the horse who took her back to 5* after a career threatening fall in 2023 saw Bubby break her back in several places and have to undergo several operations. Other than an occasional pole here and there, Cola’s performance in all three phases is incredibly consistent, though as the late 20 at Aachen in 2025, proved, he is not entirely infallible. But then everyone makes mistakes — even 5* stalwarts.
[View Cola’s full profile here]
3: Tim Price (NZL) and Global Quest
Tim took the ride on “George” partway through the 2024 season, following the sad passing of his former rider, Georgie Campbell. They quickly established a strong partnership, notching up several top 20 finishes together, and a spate of double clears. But them that is owing in part to Georgie’s work with him too; she produced him right through to the 4*-L level, and often lauded him as one of the best horses she had ever had. He certainly seems to be proving that to be the case — his only slight weakness is in the first phase, which ranges anywhere from low to high 30s, but if anyone can improve those scores it is Mr Price.
[View Global Quest’s full profile here]
4: Emily King (GBR) and Jackpot
Emily took the reins on Jackpot from Polly Schwerdt in late 2022. Established as a 3* horse at that point, Emily continued his education in fine style with wins in his first two Long format competitions just a year later. Their form has been chequered at times, with a spate of cross country penalties in 2024, but they seem to have learned from those, and their record has been impeccable of late, notching up an enviable run of double clears, along with sub 30 dressage scores. Jackpot is the real deal — and possibly even a contender for a place on the British team in years to come.
[View Jackpot’s full profile here]
6: Tiana Coudray (USA) and Cancaras Girl
“Cara” was originally purchased via a social media ad with the intent to sell — but she stuck with Olympian Tiana and now they’re at the top of their game together. Pint-sized “Cara” proved her mettle at the top of the sport with a classy 25th-place at Badminton in 2024, where the little mare showed she’s got the guts and heart to be competitive at 5*, and her tidy 29.8 dressage score showcased the kind of polish she can bring to the first phase. Though still developing at the top level with other 5* attempts not exactly going to plan, the tenacious mare has flashes of real brilliance — like her top-ten finish at Bramham in 2022 — and benefits greatly from Olympian Tiana’s deep well of experience. And who doesn’t love a Facebook find turned 5* contender?
[View Cancaras Girl’s full profile here]
7: Cosby Green (USA) and JOS UFO de Quidam
This Argentinian Sporthorse was piloted by American Heather Morris through Young Riders to 3* before turning the ride over to Cosby, with whom he’s continued up the levels to the top of the sport. Having most of 2024 off held him back from making his 5* debut sooner, but the pair gained extensive experience at the 4*-L level before making the step up at Luhmühlen, where the gelding showed just how ready he was when he crossed the finish line on cross country day just one second over the time and ended up in 8th place. First phase scores trend in the mid-30s, but they’re unlikely to add much on cross country day, although they do tend to have a pole in the stadium. A true eventer, this guy’s as solid as they come and those quick clears across the country are a valuable asset to have in a horse who’s competing at the top of his game.
[View Jos UFO de Quidam’s full profile here]
8: Padraig McCarthy (IRL) and MGH Mr Messack
This gelding’s 5* debut at Burghley didn’t quite go to plan when Padraig took an early exit over Zak’s shoulder after a green mistake at bounce combination early on cross country. Nonetheless, the horse has shown a natural aptitude for cross country right from the beginning of his career, with nary a fault on his record and some very quick rounds at the 4* level to boot, including coming home inside the time at the 4*-L at Blenheim in 2024. Dressage is still a bit of a work in progress, with scores trending in the mid-30s, but this is an improvement and there’s surely more to come as he settles into his top-level career. It’s a similar story for show jumping, with a couple of poles the norm at this point in the game.
[View MGH Mr Messack’s full profile here]
10: Bill Levett (AUS) and RNH Tom Tom R
RNH Tom Tom R has provided Australian eventing stalwart Bill a return to the very top level of the sport, proving that age is but a number in this sport! While he may not be a world beater, he is becoming increasingly reliable in all three phases, with a tidy show jumping record complementing almost perfect cross country form — and if that wasn’t enough, a first phase score that is ever improving. A dark horse to keep an eye on, for sure.
[View RNH Tom Tom R’s full profile here]
11: Helen Bates (GBR) and Carpe Diem
As careful in the show jumping as he is enthusiastic across country, “Demon” is still not infallible — he has missed out on a top 25 5* finish on several occasions after tipping a pole or two in the final phase. Still, Helen has paid particular attention to his fitness of late, in order to make sure that he is still full of running on the final day, and able to clear the coloured fences with his usual accuracy and if he can pull off the usual double clear, there is no reason why Demon can’t land he and his dedicated rider a top 25 placing.
[View Carpe Diem’s full profile here]
12: Sam Ecyrod (GBR) and Boleybawn Lecrae
Sam has taken this talented gelding all the way through from BE90 to the very top level, collecting an enviable list of results along the way. Top 20 in the 8/9 year old 4*-S at Blenheim Palace in 2024, Boleybawn Lecrae continues to impress, with an ever improving dressage score matching up well to his tendency for a quick and clear cross country, and careful show jumping ability.
[View Boleybawn Lecrae’s full profile here]
14: Libby Seed (GBR) and Heartbreaker Star Quality
“Legend” is a term bandied about a little too much these days, but if anyone has earned such a title, it is “Angel.” A familiar face at 5* level for many years, he and Libby have become one of the most consistent combinations out there, pulling off top 20 results time and again. Not always competitive after the first phase, they are still able to climb up the leaderboard after the jumping phases, and should never be discounted as ones to watch on the final day.
[View Heartbreaker Star Quality’s full profile here]
15: Aistis Vitkauskas (LIT) and Commander VG
Aistis and Commander VG have completed seven 5* events together, including Pau, where they first tackled the level back in 2020. Their most recent outing at Pau last October was cut short when the Ground Jury pulled them up on a day marred by tough conditions and multiple fence removals, but both horse and rider came out of the experience safely. And this year, they retired on cross country at the European Championships, opting to reroute instead to Pau.
While they may not be fighting for the top of the leaderboard, they’ve consistently shown determination and resilience—qualities that earned them a spot in the history books as Lithuania’s first Badminton finishers in 2023. Typically producing a mid-to-high 30s score in the first phase, this pair’s focus will be on establishing confidence and rhythm across the country, aiming for a steady and successful completion to close the curtain on their fifth 5* campaigning season.
[View Commander VG’s full profile here]
16: Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and Rehy DJ
Rehy DJ has flown under the radar a little, thanks to the illustrious achievements of his stablemate Banzai du Loir. Recent years have seen him emerge from the shadows though and he has become renowned as a solid — and competitive — 5* campaigner. His first Senior Championship cap at the 2025 Europeans did not go according to plan, with an unexpected fall on the cross country, but that would be more of a blip than a problem, and one that will easily be forgotten about as this game little horse continues to romp around the toughest tracks in fine style.
[View Rehy DJ’s full profile here]
18: Kylie Roddy (GBR) and SRS Kan Do
Kylie and SRS Kan Do are ever present at 5* in recent years, and more consistent than most, too. Their record at the level is not entirely flawless, with a few eliminations at Badminton to their name, but that is matched by several top 20 finishes — including 5th at Pau in 2023. They bounced back from their elimination on course here to finish 19th at Pau, jumping a double clear — a very helpful habit of SRS Kan Do, who has done so in all but one of his 5* starts. “George” has dipped into the 20’s in the first phase, and has an enviably tidy show jumping record, so if they can join all those dots then these two could prove to be very competitive.
[View SRS Kan Do’s full profile here]
19: Aaron Millar (GBR) and Cooley Exchange
Produced to 3* level by Khia Cadney-Moon, Cooley Exchange to Aaron mid-way through 2021, and he has since taken him all the way to the top level — albeit it with a few blips along the way. Always consistent in the first phase — he rarely scores above the mid-30’s — he is prone to a pole or two, and his cross country record is not without flaw either. Still, it is testament to Aaron’s patience and commitment that he has managed to work through any issues to produce yet another 5* campaigner.
[View Cooley Exchange’s full profile here]
20: Grace Cooper (GBR) and Cedarmount Cavalier
It is no small feat to campaign a horse all the way through the levels to 5*, and even more so when you suffer from a debilitating physical condition yourself. Such is the case with Grace Cooper, who has limited control of her hands and legs, following a traumatic head injury suffered while playing Polo. There have been other roadblocks along the way too, including a rotational fall at Floors Castle in 2023, which resulted in a chipped vertebrae. Despite these setbacks, Grace and Bertie have notched up an impressive record on their way to the top, including a win in their first 4*-L at Lisgarven in 2023 — just a few months following after that fall.
[View Cedarmount Cavalier’s full profile here]
21: Alice Copithorne (IRL) and Fort Arthur Little Dolly
Finishing just outside the top 20 at their first 5* this season was a great start to this pair’s top-level career and came after some very solid rounds as they made their way through the grades over the last few years. The first phase is still a work in progress, with scores around the 40 mark leaving them a fair way off the business end of things after the dressage, but cross country is where this mare really comes into her own, with clear jumping rounds right through the levels, including on their 5* debut. The show jumping is still a little hit and miss, with four poles down at Luhmühlen, but ordinarily they keep it to just the one, perhaps two, at long-format events.
[View Fort Arthur Little Dolly’s full profile here]
22: Tara Dixon (GBR) and Master Smart
“Fred’s” International record is by no means perfect, but he and Tara can almost always be relied upon to get the job done, even with a few extra penalties along the way. Show jumping is a particular strong suit for the pair; it is rare for them to drop a pole on the final day, though with a dressage hovering in the low 40’s/mid 30’s it is unlikely that they will sneak much higher than the top 30. Still, Tara has proven herself a talented jockey over the last few seasons, and there is a sense that there is much more to come from these two.
[View Master Smart’s full profile here]
23: Abigail Long (NZL) and Henton Audacious
One of the newest additions to Team Kiwi, Abigail and “Daphnee” arrived on the UK circuit in 2023, having previously established their eventing careers in New Zealand. A 3* horse on arrival on British soil, Daphnee has shot up the levels, showing her class — and Abby’s raw talent. Bought as a four year old by Abi and her parents, their record together is somewhat impeccable despite their relative inexperience; top 20 in their first 4*-L at Blenheim Palace in 2024, they have barely a blip on their record, where a double clear is de rigueur, complementing an ever impressive dressage score, which averages around the mid 30 mark, and is only set to improve with experience. An exciting pair for the New Zealand team — and the eventing scene as a whole.
[View Henton Audacious’ full profile here]
24: Sam Gillespie (GBR) and But Not Till Now
“Tilly” has been with Sam throughout from the word go, and she has shown a natural talent from the off, with only a few cross country penalties to her name. Less reliable is her show jumping record; she is prone to at least one pole, if not two, which has prevented her from bringing home top placings on more than one occasion. Still, their record together is a solid one — it is rare that they don’t complete, and so it is no surprise that it is this game little mare that took Sam to his first 5*.
[View But Not Till Now’s full profile here]
25: Astier Nicolas (FRA) and Dirty Old Town
An exciting young addition to Astier’s string, although this guy doesn’t have a ton of international runs under his cinch, he’s got impressive form in all three phases. He’s squeaked sub-30 in the first phase at 4* and has proved he can be clear inside the time at both long- and short-format events. He tends to have a show jumping pole on the final day but, hey, it’s good to have something to work on. This is a horse that’ll be really interesting to follow as he continues his international career at the top level.
[View Dirty Old Town’s full profile here]
26: Alex Hua Tian (CHN) and Chicko
After a stellar 5* debut at Pau last fall, where they battled through brutal conditions to finish fourth with just time on cross country and a double clear on the final day, Alex Hua Tian and Chicko hit a blip in their momentum at Badminton in the spring, which quite literally put Alex in the running for the save of the day.
Alex, a multi-time Olympian for China, may not frequent the 5* circuit, but his polish in the dressage arena and tact across the country are undeniable. A stylish rider across the phases, he scored sub-30 in the dressage with Chicko at Pau on the horse’s first time at the level, a career best for the pair, and their cross country record is remarkably clean. Careful on the final day with many more clears than poles, this pair really are shaping up to be a triple threat.
[View Chicko’s full profile here]
27: Florian Ganneval (FRA) and Erebor de Fleyres
After collecting a completion on their 5* debut at Pau in 2024, their second time at the top level didn’t exactly go to plan, with three refusals on cross country day at Luhmühlen the following season ending their competition early with an elimination. Trending in the high-30s in the first phase at 4*, they’ve had a hoof into the 40s at each of their 5* starts, but despite those problems at Luhmühlen and picking up 11 penalties for breaking a frangible device at Pau, their cross country jumping record is pretty clean; they can be quick on their day too. They tend to have a pole, maybe two, in the stadium, but they proved they can keep them in the cups at long format when they placed 4th in the 4*-L at Kronenberg in 2024.
[View Erebor de Fleyres’ full profile here]
28: Matthew Heath (GBR) and Benedict Radau
Matthew Heath is ready to see what he’s got in newer ride Benedict Radau, a 5* first-time horse who’s run around 4*-L events such as the newly-installed Scone Palace (where he finished top 20) and Blair Castle (where he was sixth with former rider Anne Thick of Great Britain). Matthew has only had the ride on this 13-year-old gelding from this season forward, so this debut at Pau will very much be a fact-finding mission. Matthew’s got loads of experience at this level on several horses, each with their own quirk, and they seem to be getting the hang of each other as their scores tick downward over the last few FEI events they’ve done.
[View Benedict Radau’s full profile here]
30: Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo
A quick glance at Senor Crocodillo’s FEI record would suggest that Mrs Price is sitting on a very talented horse indeed. Diego rarely knocks a pole and his cross country record is only marginally less impeccable, with the odd 20 here and there, but even so, there is little to cause any great concern and with Jonelle in the plate, it is only a matter of time before any issues are ruled out for good. 12th in the 8/9 year old 4*S at Blenheim Palace in 2023, Diego has also proved to be quite capable in the first phase too, rarely straying above the low 30’s, and dipping into the 20’s more and more of late, too. Top 20 on his 5* debut, this smart little gelding could well be in with a shout for a spot on the Kiwi team in years to come.
[View Senor Crocodillo’s full profile here]
31: Bubby Upton (GBR) and Cannavaro
Bubby and Cannavaro have done everything together since they joined forces back in 2017; Young Riders, Nations Cup Teams, 5*’s — you name it, they have done it. Theirs is a record littered with wins and top 10 results; winners of the British Under 25 Championships in 2021, they have also produced top 10 results at 5* too, and it was this horse that took Bubby to her first Aachen. Somewhat of a double clear specialist, Cannavaro is the real deal and a top 10 finish is easily within his remit.
[View Cannavaro’s full profile here]
32: Tim Price (NZL) and Happy Boy
A former Le Lion Seven-Year-Old champion (2019), Happy Boy took the win at Blenheim 4*-L in 2024 too, though it took a little longer than expected for him to complete his first 5*. That was at Kentucky in 2025, and it was surprisingly uninspiring, with 51.0 cross country penalties. But that is the frustrating thing about Happy Boy — he has all the potential but every now and then, he takes his eye off the ball and comes home with cross country faults. On his day though, he is one of the most promising horses out there, with sub-20 dressage potential, a tidy show jumping round, and flashes of brilliance across the country. When/if it all comes together, Happy Boy will make his rider very happy indeed.
[View Happy Boy’s full profile here]
33: Kevin McNab (AUS) and Faro Imp
Faro Imp is one of the most exciting horses to enter the McNab stable of late, showing promise from the off with a top 20 in the World Young Horse Championships as a 6 year old in 2022. His has been a smooth progression up the levels, with an almost impeccable cross country record and similarly strong form in the other two phases. Thanks to Faro Imp, we see Kevin McNab make his return to the very top level, after a few years out, and is a serious contender for a place on the Australian Olympic team, with ever improving form and natural aptitude for the sport.
[View Faro Imp’s full profile here]
34: Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett
Emily has been a horse girl since she was a kid but it was a trip to Kentucky as a spectator of the three day event that firmly set her on the path to becoming an eventer. She got a job with Phillip Dutton in 2015 and was promoted to head rider two years later, which gave her the chance to compete his young horses up to CCI3*. And that’s where she met Corvett, a horse that arrived in Phillip’s barn as a sales prospect but whose unconventional jumping style meant he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Emily took on the ride and so began her 5* adventure with ‘Barry’. Everyone’s favorite high jumper, described by many a commentator as ‘Corvett Airlines’ due to his enthusiastic — and iconic — jumping style, Barry is one heck of an eventing horse.
The pair have completed nine top-level events, taking in Kentucky, Badminton, Burghley, Luhmühlen and Maryland over five seasons. A crowd pleasing fan favorite Barry is a gelding with an eventer’s heart and springs in his heels. No, he’s not going win the dressage, but point him at a jump and off he goes. He’s surprisingly quick for a horse with such an extravagant style over the fences and he’s equally impressive in the show jumping ring, not surprising given his jumping breeding. At 18 there will be a time in the not too distant future when Barry’s no longer in the line up at 5* and we sure will miss him and his high-flying ways. In the meantime, if they complete this weekend they will be the first pair to complete all six Northern Hemisphere 5*s including the recently-added Maryland 5 Star.
[View Corvett’s full profile here]
35: Jenny Caras (USA) and Sommersby
Thanks to the support of the Wilton Fair Fund and USEF, Jenny Caras has spent the last couple of seasons based in the UK to further her education. She’s been bringing “B” through the international levels since 2021 and says herself that he’s been a little tricky as he’s quite a spooky horse which she puts to him tending to be on the insecure side. Through patience and understanding, and lots of pats, the pair have progressed to 5* and although their first attempt at the level didn’t go to plan when she took a tumble at Luhmühlen, they have plenty of 4* experience under their belts and a successful step up will no doubt come along soon. Their first phase scores tend to trend in the low- mid-30s and although there are jumping penalties scattered through their cross country form, there are plenty of clears too. “B” really does show his talent in the show jumping ring, where he’s proved to be a careful jumper who likes to keep the poles in the cups.
[View Sommersby’s full profile here]
36: Jesse Campbell (NZL) and Cooley Lafitte
Sent to Jesse as a last resort, “Henry” has certainly turned himself around — testament no doubt to Jesse’s unwavering patience and natural — making his way to the top of the sport. He has had a few frustrating runs at the level, but equally has proven that he can hold his own against the best of them too, with a double clear at Burghley in 2024. His dressage score may leave them a little off the pace — he tends towards the upper end of the 30’s at 5*, but should Henry hit on good form this week, and nail the jumping phases, he could still pull off a fairly competitive result.
[View Cooley Lafitte’s full profile here]
37: Andrew Downes (GBR) and Cooley Foxtrot
Another Cooley Farm graduate, Andrew has taken Cooley Foxtrot right through the levels, finally making his return to the top level of the sport with this talented OBOS Quality gelding, after a few years’ hiatus. Ever consistent in the first phase — his scores have been dropping lower in lower with each season — and a one or none kind of guy in the show jumping, the only slight question mark for this pair comes in the cross country. Though there are no serious problems on their record, Cooley Foxtrot has been known to pick up a 20 here and there, often preventing them from posting a more competitive result.
[View Cooley Foxtrot’s full profile here]
38: Mary Edmundson (GBR) and Lionel II
Mary has had the ride on Joy Soar’s Lionel II since he was a 5 year old, taking him all the way through the levels to 5*. A member of Team GB at both Junior and Young Rider level, Mary has produced him to be one of the most solid cross country horses on the circuit, with barely a blip to his name. His show jumping is not as reliable, nor are his dressage scores always the most competitive, but that doesn’t take away from an increasingly impressive list of completions, right throughout the levels.
[View Lionel II’s full profile here]
39: Stephen Heal (GBR) and Hagonda
“Holly” is one of those lovely horses who may never be a world beater, and who’s record is not without flaw, but she continues to show up and try her best. Sidelined in 2024 with a minor injury, she reappeared the following year showing no lasting signs of weakness. Capable of a smart dressage score — think low 30’s or perhaps even into the 20’s — she is not quite so reliable over the coloured fences, tipping at least one pole more often than not, which may put paid to any hopes of a competitive finish.
[View Hagonda’s full profile here]
41: Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality
Brookfield Quality tends to fly a little under the radar in comparison to his much celebrated stable mate, JL Dublin, which is a shame, for he has been incredibly successful at the top level himself. A podium place in the 5* at Pau in 2024 has confirmed his place as a 5* superstar, and we can expect a smooth, professional performance from start to finish. “Nervous Norris” is often the nickname used for this quirky guy, but he’s gained much in stature and experience at this level and could be poised for a top result this week.
[View Brookfield Quality’s full profile here]
42: Grace Taylor (USA) and Game Changer
UK-based American rider Grace Taylor — the daughter of British team selector Nigel Taylor and US Olympian Ann Sutton — has come through the eventing ranks via jobs with Oliver Townend, Karen O’Connor and Marilyn Little. She made her 5* debut with Game Changer — a horse she calls “just perfect” — turning heads at Burghley in 2023 when the pair scored a personal-best of 28.9 in the dressage to sit inside the top ten, then jumping clear across the country before unfortunately having to withdraw before showjumping. They followed that up with a top-20 finish at Badminton in 2024 before their 5* form became a little more tricky. Competitive in the first phase, and on their day quick and clear on the cross country, there may be a pole to add in the stadium but this pair have all the makings of a class 5* combination.
[View Game Changer’s full profile here]
43: Sarah Bullimore (GBR) and Corimoro
After some seriously competitive results at the 4* level, including three 4*-S podium finishes and a top-5 4*-L finish at Boekelo, Sarah Bullimore is testing the next level up with this half-sibling to her well-known partner, Corouet. This 9-year-old gelding shares the same dam, Lilly Corinne, and is now in place to become Sarah’s next big thing. But first, that all-important first 5* start at Pau. Sarah and “Milo” are coming in on great form, having just podiumed at the 8- and 9-year-old 4*-S division at Blenheim this summer and really throwing some nice scores on the flat. They should be fairly competitive in the first phase if they can replicate that recent form, and while Sarah has been producing this horse with this in mind, she’ll also be looking out for his future as they navigate would could be sloppier going in this next challenge.
[View Corimoro’s full profile here]
44: Tom Jackson (GBR) and Plot Twist B
Plot Twist B is the latest superstar to emerge from the Jackson stable with a top 20 placing in his first 5* at Pau in 2024. 7th in the 8/9 year old 4*S at Blenheim Palace in 2023, “Blue” has long since shown his potential to be competitive at the top level, and Tom is an experienced 5* campaigner himself, having finished in the top 5 at both Badminton and Burghley on more than one occasion.
[View Plot Twist B’s full profile here]
45: Alex Bragg (GBR) and Ardeo Premier
“Eddie” is a horse that tends to go a little unnoticed, which is wholly unfair, as consistent is his middle name, finishing well within the top 20 time and again. His first phase score might not be too troubling for the leaders, averaging as it does around the low 30’s, but he can be relied upon to put in a nigh on foot performance in the jumping phases, which will only help their efforts to climb back up the placings. After a solid start and subsequent retirement after some trouble on cross country at Burghley, this pair will be back looking to make good on all of that prep — don’t discount them entirely. They may not make the podium, but we could see them edge into the top 10.
[View Ardeo Premier’s full profile here]
46: Selina Milnes (GBR) and Cooley Snapchat
Impressive at every stage of his career, from a 3rd place in the 7 year old Young Horse World Championships in 2021, to 15th on his 5* debut at Pau in 2024, “Casper” has an enviably consistent record at every level. His 5* career has suffered the odd blip here and there — he retired midway round the cross country at Luhmuhlen in 2025 — but he usually comes back even better the next time out. Don’t be surprised to see his name right up there with the best of them on the final day; this is one classy horse.
[View Cooley Snapchat’s full profile here]
47: Sebastien Cavallion (FRA) and Black Pearl Z
“Blacky” and teamed up for Sébastien Cavaillon’s first 5* ride since 2022. They had an educationally successful weekend there, finishing 20th overall. They encountered just a minor blip of trouble late on cross country there, after conquering most of the course with the horse looking absolutely thrilled with the new challenge. This was literally their only cross country jumping penalty in 21 starts for the horse, so a more competitive finish at Pau this fall will not be out of the question.
Together, this pair have done their fair share of Arena Eventing in the winters, and the level of adjustability a horse needs for this type of competition should set them up well for these technical European 5* tracks.
[View Black Pearl Z’s full profile here]
48: Benjamin Massie (FRA) and Filao de Perle
A DNF result on the horse’s 5* debut at Pau last fall can be forgiven under the circumstances (less than ideal due to the tricky weather conditions, to say the least), and this young horse went on to really show his mettle at the top level with a solid top-20 finish at Luhmühlen the following season. They picked up a green 20 on that occasion, but prior to that they’d been consistently clear across the country, and quick to boot. There’s still some development happening in the first phase, although a low-30s score at Pau shows all the promise, and they proved they can keep the poles in the cups with a clear show jumping round at Luhmühlen, although their form suggests they’re more likely to have one than none. Keep your eye on this one as he continues his career at the pinnacle of the sport, there’s lots to like and lots more to come from this guy, for sure.
[View Filao de Perle’s full profile here]
49: David Doel (GBR) and Galileo Nieuwmoed
One of the most seasoned combinations in the field, and one of the most consistently well placed, too. There has been many a near miss for the top of the podium, and it seems that everyone is rooting for them to pull off a big win. Galieleo is renowned for being fast and clear cross country and his show jumping record is similarly clean — barring a pole here and there. If this horse had a chink in his armour, it would be the dressage — he rarely dips into the 20’s, and has done just once at 5*. They are working to shake off two uncharacteristic eliminations at Badminton and Burghley this year to cap off their season on the high note we know they are capable of.
[View Galileo Nieuewmoed’s full profile here]
50: Oliver Townend (GBR) and Ballaghmor Class
Winners of multiple 5* titles, Olympic medals — there is very little that Oliver and his faithful campaigner have yet to win. Now in the twilight of his career, Thomas has cemented his place as one of the legends of the sport, and is the term “5* stalwart” has never been more appropriate. His dressage marks may not be quite so fancy as some of his younger counterparts, but he will make up for that on the cross country, easily his best phase.
[View Ballaghmor Class’ full profile here]
52: Arne Bergendahl (GER) and Luthien NRW
This bold Westphalian mare’s 5* career may not have continued as Arne would have hoped, given the confident start she made with 14th place at Luhmühlen on her debut following a bunch of competitive runs at 4*, making the two subsequent DNF results at Pau and Badminton a true anomaly in her form, but things got well and truly back on track at Luhmühlen this season when she replicated her 2023 result.
While they aren’t yet laying down competitive dressage marks (expect something in the mid-to-high 30s), this pair comes alive once the jumping starts, particularly across the country where Luthien’s quick footwork and grit shine. Not only are they well capable of clear rounds, they’re swift too, which they showed in fine form when they came home just two seconds over the time on the horse’s 5* debut. Although she had a a pole in each of her two top-level completions thus far, she’s a careful jumper and there’s no reason to think those clears won’t come as she continues her career at the top of her sport.
[View Luthien NRW’s full profile here]
53: Emily King (GBR) and Valmy Biats
As back-to-back winner of the Grantham Cup at Thoresby Park in 2022 and 2023, Valmy has as good a shot as any at a podium place this year, if he hits top form. On his day, he can challenge the leaders in the dressage, and is one of the very best cross country horses too — and fast. His show jumping record could never be deemed to be erratic, but he is not as much of a sure thing in this phase and is just as likely to fault on the final day at 5* as he is to jump clear, which could damage their chances of taking the win.
[View Valmy Biats’ full profile here]
55: Tiana Coudray (USA) and D’Artagnan
Newcomer to the level, D’Artagnan has been competing internationally with UK-based US Olympian Tiana Coudray since 2022. The gelding’s been gaining experience at 3* and 4* on his way to making the step up to the top of the sport, taking in the likes of the big 8- and 9-year old class at Blenheim and the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo along the way. Trending in the mid-30s in the first phase at 4*, the horse’s cross country record is impeccable, with fast clears around some of the UK’s beefy 4* courses standing him in good stead for things to come. His stadium jumping’s not on par yet, but there’s still plenty of time to work towards those clears as he sets out on his top-level career.
[View D’Artagnan’s full profile here]
56: Cosby Green (USA) and Highly Suspicious
Supportive funding from the USEA helped Cosby to relocate to the UK to train with Kiwi power couple Tim and Jonelle Price in 2023 after graduating college and she’s been gaining ground in the sport ever since. “Puff” made the trip with her and the pair have been continuing their progression up the international levels both in the UK and Europe with some great results, including finishing 4th at Luhmühlen where they added just one second of time on the final day to their dressage score across the competition. They proved they could go sub-30 in the first phase on their homecoming 5* debut at Maryland, where they posted a PB of 28, and although there’s the odd mistake out on cross country, when things go to plan, they can be quick on their day. A clean and careful jumper in the stadium, this horse is shaping up to be something of a triple threat — watch this space.
[View Highly Suspicious’ full profile here]
57: Padraig McCarthy (IRL) and Lady Ophelia
The mare’s 5* debut in 2024 didn’t exactly go to plan with wet breeches for Padraig after he took a dunking and had an early bath. But that doesn’t deter from this horse’s potential at the level as it was a rather bold effort from the mare as they dropped into the water which catapulted Padraig out the front door, rather than a mistake. She clearly relishes the cross country phase, with a whole bunch of clear jumping rounds at 4* on her record, including a spin round the 4*-L at Bramham inside the time. First phase scores are generally mid-30s, although she put down a personal best of 33.9 at Burghley on her first time at the level, indicating that this mare really does show up to the big events. Show jumping has been a little more hit and miss recently, but she’s plenty of clear round form, with the odd pole, so we can put her last couple of results down as blips rather than the norm. This is obviously an exciting prospect for Padraig and it’ll be interesting to see how the mare’s career develops as she really gets her hooves into the big time.
[View Lady Ophelia’s full profile here]
58: Boyd Martin (USA) and Cooley Nutcracker
Boyd may come across as quite the character as he jogs along the strip in his USA suit at horse inspections, officiates weddings at Kentucky and sends out video messages to his many fans, but underneath all the pizazz is one heck of a competitor. He’s in the elite club of having competed at all seven of the world’s 5* events, has won two of them — one being the last ever long-format event at Adelaide — and has close to 30 top-10 finishes to his name. “Bali” entered his string for the 2025 season when he took guardianship of the gelding following Liz Halliday’s accident. Originally campaigned in Europe by French rider Astier Nicolas, this impressive gelding made the trip to the States in 2022 and made Liz’s dreams come true when the pair represented the USA at the Paris Olympics and finished in the top-20 individually, with the team taking 6th place; earlier in the season he was 8th on his CCI5* debut at Kentucky following a run of top placings as he made his way to the top of his sport. It’s still early days in his partnership with Boyd, but the pair have had some excellent 4* results together and there’s nothing to indicate that the gelding’s exceptional form won’t continue as he continues his career at 5*.
[View Cooley Nutcracker’s full profile here]
59: Jonelle Price (NZL) and Hiarado
Seventh on her 5* debut at Pau in 2023, Jools has since been to the Olympics although an uncharacteristic stop cross country put paid to a top finish there. A sharp, consistent mare with plenty of class, she’s steadily climbed the ranks since joining Jonelle’s string in 2022, having previously been campaigned by Grace Taylor. Known for her elegance in the first phase and boldness across the country, Jools is usually pretty reliable in the final phase too (with the exception of Paris, where they had 3 down).
[View Hiarado’s full profile here]
60: Bubby Upton (GBR) and Its Cooley Time
Talented from the very start, Bubby has made no secret of the fact that It’s Cooley Time has also been one of the most challenging horse that she has produced to date. Still, her patience with him paid off; he won his first 4*L at Bramham in 2025, and has an admirable collection on winning results right through the levels, thanks in no part to his impeccable jumping record which is matched only by his ability in the first phase.
[View Its Cooley Time’s full profile here]
61: Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo
Once touted as a rising star Jarillo — aka “Milo” — has since cemented his superstar status, with a top ten result on his 5* debut at at Pau in 2024. Easily capable of a sub-30 dressage scores, cross country faults are few and far between for this horse, and the same is true of his show jumping. Easily a contender for a place on the Kiwi team in the coming years.
[View Jarillo’s full profile here]
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