From young horse champion to international star? Where are the 6-year-olds of Lanaken 2015 ten years later?

The World Championship for Young Show Jumping Horses in Lanaken has long been considered one of the most important indicators of future talent in the sport. Each year, the best 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old horses in the world gather at the Zangersheide grounds with one goal: to prove they are ready for a career at the highest level.

But how predictive is such a championship really? Ten years later, we look back at the top 10 of the 6-year-old final in 2015—and the numbers are striking.

Out of the ten finalists:

• no fewer than 9 horses reached at least 1.45m level
• 4 horses even competed at 1.60m level
• and one horse made it to 1.65m level

Which naturally raises the question: is the World Championship for Young Horses perhaps one of the best predictors of future international top talent?

The top 10 of the 6-year-old final in 2015

A particularly strong generation, especially considering how many of these horses eventually reached the highest level.

HH Earley: double world champion, shorter career.

The world title in 2015 went to HH Earley, ridden by Maikel van Mierlo. He made history as one of the few horses to become world champion both as a 5- and 6-year-old. On paper, everything seemed in place for a future superstar. Ten years later, the story is somewhat more nuanced.

HH Earley developed into a solid international sport horse:

• active up to approximately 1.45m level
• multiple international results
• several rider changes throughout his career

However, a true breakthrough at 1.60m level never materialized. He also experienced some longer periods of inactivity and did not compete internationally after the age of twelve, suggesting a relatively early retirement. That said, his achievements as a young horse remain exceptional. Becoming world champion twice in Lanaken is a feat only very few horses have ever accomplished.

Silver for Ellavar X: consistent and reliable international performer

Ellavar X, the silver medalist under Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, also confirmed her quality later in sport.

The mare performed very creditably at 1.45m level and collected several international placings. Major Grand Prix victories or exceptional prize money, however, remained absent. Like HH Earley, she also stopped competing internationally after the age of twelve, indicating a relatively early retirement.

Bronze for Take A Chance On Me Z: from bronze medal to world-class

The most successful international career among the top three ultimately came from the bronze medalist.

Take A Chance On Me Z, ridden by Christian Ahlmann, developed into an absolute top performer at the highest level.

The stallion by Taloubet Z:

• competed up to 1.65m level
• won the LGCT 5* Grand Prix of Paris
• achieved multiple top-10 placings at 1.60m level
• remained active for years at the very highest level

And perhaps even more impressive: at the age of 16, he is still active today at 1.50m level. This immediately highlights an important nuance: it is not necessarily the winner, but sometimes a “supporting player” who later becomes the true world-class star.

Beyond the podium: even more quality emerged

Perhaps even more interesting are the horses just outside the podium. Caleya, fourth in Lanaken under Otmar Eckermann, later developed into a successful 1.60m mare under Katrin Eckermann.

Her record includes:

• Grand Prix wins at CSI3* and CSI4* level
• Nations Cup appearances
• multiple international top placings at 1.60m

She later remained successful at high level under Jordy Van Massenhove and Sarah Ver Linde. No world title as a young horse—but ultimately a sustainable international top-level career.

Comilfo Plus Z: limited sport career, massive impact as a stallion

Number five, Comilfo Plus Z, followed a completely different path. His sporting career remained relatively limited, reaching about 1.45m level at a young age, but as a breeding stallion he developed into one of the most influential modern show jumping sires. Today, he is the father of numerous black-type horses and internationally successful offspring.

A perfect example of how success does not have to translate solely through sport.

Eloma’s Blue SFN, Entertainer & FTS Elliot: durable Grand Prix careers

The horses just outside the very top of the rankings also built impressive careers. Eloma’s Blue SFN, the grey stallion by Mr. Blue:

• competed at 1.60m level with Wout Jan van der Schans
• later remained active at 1.45m level with Yannick Janssen van Grunsven
• is still active in sport today

Entertainer, who finished seventh in the final:

• jumped up to 1.60m level with Jenny Rankin
• had a successful international career
• retired at the age of 13

FTS Elliot also became a consistent Grand Prix performer:

• active at 1.60m level
• long and successful international career
• still active in sport today

What can we learn from this generation?

The conclusion is clear: early success translates in different ways. Some horses develop into true Grand Prix specialists. Others become influential breeding stallions or the foundation of successful mare lines. And others build long, consistent international careers without ever becoming true superstars.

But what this 2015 final especially proves is that the World Championship for Young Horses is indeed a very strong indicator of future talent. When 9 out of 10 finalists later jump at least 1.45m—and nearly half reach 1.60m—that is hard to dismiss as coincidence.

At the same time, this generation also shows that development is rarely entirely predictable. Not always the winner becomes the biggest star. And sometimes, a horse that stood just outside the spotlight as a youngster ultimately grows into the most durable top performer of them all.