In the first months of 2025, a lot of young jumpers impressed at international competitions. Especially during the Spanish tours in Vejer de la Frontera, Oliva and other popular winter venues, they jumped into the spotlight with clear rounds and regular placings. But which horses combine talent with consistent performance? We analyzed the 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds with at least 10 international starts and mapped out the top performers with the highest placement percentage to date. Find out which young talents are already standing out in the early season.
5-year-olds with the highest placement percentage
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Starts | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take on me 3 | Lina Renström (SWE) | 12 | 100.0% |
| 2 | Arya | Ben Walker (GBR) | 10 | 100.0% |
| 3 | Leestone Emeresky | Lee Williams (GBR) | 12 | 91.7% |
Certified by Hippomundo © 2025
The five-year-old mare Take on Me 3 jumped into the spotlight with a 100 percent placing percentage at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera. With twelve clear basic rounds in a row, the Taloubet Z daughter, bred by Peter Bertling, out of the dam line of the legendary Goldfever I showed her burgeoning talent. Also Arya, from the Breeders Elite Studbook and bred at Emma Ziff & Pennie Cornish, achieved a 100 percent score. She did not make a single jumping fault during her performance on the Sunshine Tour.
Leestone Emeresky tops Hippomundo's ranking of best 5-year-old jumper in 2025. Thanks to a score of 42p (on 23/03/2023) in the Hippomundo Ratings. The Emerald offspring jumped into the spotlight with clear runs as well as top placings (91.7%), confirming her status as one of the most promising young horses of the season so far.
Go here to the full list of 5-year-olds with highest placement%.
6-year-olds with the highest placement percentage
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Starts | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athena Hero Z | Jil Verheij (NED) | 10 | 100.0% |
| 2 | Junesco de Riverland | Marie Demonte (FRA) | 12 | 91.7% |
| 3 | Jealousy Absolute EE | Shoorendran Nageswaran | 11 | 90.9% |
| 4 | Ohio | Jules Orsolini (FRA) | 11 | 90.9% |
| 5 | Mr Co-K Van Kattenheye Z | Megan James (GBR) | 12 | 83.3% |
Certified by Hippomundo © 2025
Statistics show a 100% clear and placing percentage for Athena Hero Z, a mare bred from the Roosakker family in partnership with Stud Hero. She also jumped into the spotlight at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera.
Go here to the full list of 6-year-olds with highest placement%.
7-year-olds with the highest placement percentage
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Starts | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abercrombie Pommex Z | Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) | 15 | 93.3% |
| 2 | Chattanooga Pommex Z | Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) | 12 | 83.3% |
| 3 | Caprice 563 | Yara Al Hunaidi (KUW) | 12 | 83.3% |
| 4 | Celeana Des Joanins Z | Olivier Perreau (FRA) | 10 | 80.0% |
| 5 | Felicitas | Jacob Hellström (SWE) | 10 | 80.0% |
Certified by Hippomundo © 2025
Last, but not least, we also see a young talent in the seven-year-olds who is winning every time. Under Stephex rider Kendra Claricia Brinkop, Abercrombie Pommex jumped to a placing percentage of 93.3%. This gelding is a son of Asca Z out of Nusha, a direct daughter of the famous Belgian foundation dam Usha van 't Roosakker. From the same breeders (Haras de la Pomme & Stephex Stables) but out of a different well-known dam line (Qerly Chin), Kendra Claricia Brinkop consistently jumps to top placings in the 7-year-olds; 93.3% for Chattanooga Pommex Z!
The first months of 2025 already brought into focus a lot of young talents who not only have ability, but above all excel in regularity and reliability. With striking placing percentages and clear rounds, these 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds are laying a strong foundation for their further sports career. Whether on Spanish soil or soon in the big work, these young horses are names to keep an eye on.
