AT the conclusion of the 2025 Nations Cup season in Vejer de la Frontera (POR), which ended with an Irish win, Ireland recorded 74 clear rounds across the season, finishing second only to Germany which recorded 83 clears. Ireland also scored 12 podium places, just behind Germany and Belgium on 14.

In the ranking compiled by Swiss equestrian magazine PferdeWoche, Germany’s Sophie Hinners emerged as the standout performer of the season, with an impressive 14 clear rounds. Britain’s Ben Maher is second on the list with 12 clear rounds, ahead of the reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER) who jumped nine clears for his country.

With a 100% strike rate, Tipperary’s Trevor Breen is fourth on the list with eight clear rounds, joint with the USA’s Lillie Keenan. Seamus Hughes Kennedy is next best of the Irish with seven clears, all recorded on the now sold Irish-bred ESI Rocky. Denis Lynch and Bertram Allen each jumped six clears for Ireland in 2025, while Cian O’Connor and Tom Wachman recorded five clears. O’Connor was the best athlete in 2024 with a total of 15 clear rounds while Ireland won the title in 2023 (60 clears), 2024 (75), 2021 (48) and 2019 (46).