Saturday in Gothenburg: Who Will Take the Crown in the 2025 Gothenburg Trophy?

The Favourites

Maikel van der Vleuten & Beauville Z N.O.P.

• Elo Rating: 794 (5th highest Elo ever recorded)
• Predicted Clear Chance: 65%

Van der Vleuten and Beauville Z N.O.P. enter this class as the favorites and boast one of the highest Elo ratings in history. Over the past 12 months, they have maintained an exceptional 65% clear rate at this level, a statistic that only a handful of horses worldwide can match. Their consistency and proven ability to jump clear make them the top contenders for the title.

Max Kühner & Elektric Blue P

• Elo Rating: 772
• Predicted Clear Chance: 57%

Kühner and Elektric Blue P return to five-star competition for the first time in 2025, but their record speaks for itself. In 2024, they maintained one of the strongest 160cm clear rates, heading into the Paris Olympic Games on a flawless 12/12 record. Their experience at this level makes them a serious threat, even in such a competitive field.

The Hometown Heroes

Henrik von Eckermann & Iliana

• Elo Rating: 718
• Predicted Clear Chance: 48%

As Sweden’s World No. 1 rider, Henrik von Eckermann carries the hopes of the home crowd aboard Iliana. They come into this class in strong form, having won the Grand Prix of Basel last month, and back in October, they claimed two CSI5 155 class wins in Rabat*. Their ability to deliver under pressure makes them one of the home nation’s best chances for victory.

Peder Fredricson & Alcapone des Carmille

• Elo Rating: 714
• Predicted Clear Chance: 47%

Peder Fredricson is no stranger to success in this class, having won the Gothenburg Trophy in 2015 with H&M All In when the horse was just nine years old. He now rides Alcapone des Carmille, a horse that finished second behind Willem Greve & Highway in this very class last year. Having come so close in 2024, they will be highly motivated to go one better this time.

Petronella Andersson & Olympke van ‘t Merelsnest

• Elo Rating: 627
• Predicted Clear Chance: 26%

Andersson and Olympke van ‘t Merelsnest enter this class riding the momentum of a win in Friday’s CSI5 150 Prize of Mips*. While this will be Olympke’s first competition at 155cm, her strong form from the previous day suggests she is up to the challenge. The Swedish crowd will be behind her as she aims to make her mark at this level.

The Challengers

Harrie Smolders & Mr. Tac

• Elo Rating: 680
• Predicted Clear Chance: 40%

Mr. Tac is no stranger to success in Gothenburg, having won this class in 2023 with Victor Bettendorf in the saddle. Now partnered with Harrie Smolders, the horse has continued to thrive, with a CSI4 155 Grand Prix win in Maastricht last November* and a runner-up finish in the CSI5 155 Grand Prix of Mechelen*. Smolders is a master tactician, and with a horse that knows how to win here, they are a combination to watch.

Mario Stevens & Carrie 22

• Elo Rating: 707
• Predicted Clear Chance: 38%

Mario Stevens and Carrie 22 bring one of the highest clear rates in the field, having jumped 9 rounds at 155+ level in the last year, with 5 of those being clear rounds (56%). In October, they claimed victory in the CSI5 155 Grand Prix of Oslo*, and they have already shown good form this week, having jumped clear in Thursday’s 150 jump-off class here in Gothenburg. They could be a serious podium threat.

What to Expect

With past winners like Highway Tn N.O.P., Calisto Blue, and H&M All In, the Gothenburg Trophy demands top-class performances from both horse and rider. The likely winning Elo rating will be 690+, putting the top-ranked combinations in a strong position. 

Sweden has claimed four Gothenburg Trophy wins since 2015, and with von Eckermann, Fredricson, and Andersson leading the charge, there is a strong chance that a home rider could take the title once again. However, with Van der Vleuten, Kühner, and Smolders bringing elite horses and top form, it will be a battle to the very last fence.

With an electric crowd, world-class talent, and a prestigious title on the line, the 2025 Gothenburg Trophy is set to be an unforgettable night of show jumping.