The 2025 show jumping entries have been confirmed for London International Horse Show’s CSI5* classes, and the organisers are today pleased to announce which of the world’s top riders will be heading to Britain’s capital.
This year’s packed line-up of contestants includes a plethora of Olympic, World and European Championship medallists, home-grown talent and a couple of much-loved legends of the sport who will be welcomed back to this historic Show. In total, 46 riders from 16 nations will battle it out for the honours in eight five-star classes over the five days (December 18-22 at London Excel) with highlights including the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria and the Turkish Airlines Grand Prix.
From the home nation, all eyes will be on Scott Brash (GBR), double Olympic Gold medallist, double 2025 European silver medallist, and currently ranked two in the world. Scott has a great depth in his horses and comes to the Show after another superb year with multiple successes across the Longines Global Champions Tour events. His recent form also includes victories in the CSIO5* CPKC International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows on Hello Jefferson in September, and the CSIO5* Grand Prix in Barcelona in October on Hello Folie.
Jostling Scott for the top spot will be compatriot and five-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher (GBR) – the world number three. In the 2025 season Ben has been part of the European Championships silver medal winning British team, plus has scored big wins at Aachen CHIO which resulted in his being awarded Leading Rider of the Show there. Following on, his recent victories at CSIO5* Brussels Stephex Masters, Wellington International (USA) CSI4*, and CSI3* Grand Prix win at Le Touquet see him coming to London as a strong contender.
Of other British interest, the Leading Rider at London in 2023 and this year’s Show Ambassador, Matt Sampson (GBR) has also had a formidable 2025, as part of the European Championships silver winning team. Matt comes to London with his partner, Kara Chad (CAN) who recently won the Oliva CSI3* in October on First Du Murger.
The London crowd will be delighted to see veteran champion John Whitaker on the entries list. John, now in his 70th year and still competing at the very highest level, took the Six Bar competition with Sharid in 2023. He is not the only Whitaker present, as son Robert, and nephews Donald and Jack also grace the entries list. With a selection of top horses between them, particular notice should be paid to Robert’s eye-catching black stallion Vermento, Donald’s Millfield Colette (his partner to a recent Silver medal at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships in A Coruña, Spain) and Jack’s Valmy De La Lande, a seasoned campaigner and winner of Royal Windsor Horse Show’s CSI5* Defender Stakes in May.
The excellent crop of young British talent is rounded off with entries from Joe Stockdale – who brings well-ranked ride Ebanking in this string – and Jessica Mendoza, who has entered her European Championship ride In The Air. Elsewhere, riders for the Puissance and Six Bar competitions – the power jumping specialists – include a roll-call of successful combinations, with a notable name being the up-and-coming Rachel Proudley, who also rides in a LeMeiux Masterclass in the London Arena on the Monday.
However, the home team shouldn’t expect an easy show as the competition from overseas looks to be serious. A selection box of top names in jumping include Austria’s Max Kühner, an Olympic medallist who boasts an impressive 675 FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier starts. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet, the world number 15 and part of the Bronze medal winning team at the 2021 Toyko Olympic Games, comes to London on flying form following a win in the $100,000 CSI5*-W 1.50m Welcome class at the Los Angeles leg of the World Cup qualifier at the end of November.
France fields a strong side which includes Julien Epaillard, Olympic and European bronze medallist, and compatriot Kevin Staut. Julien has had one of the best years of his career in 2025, winning the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel on his home-bred gelding Donatello d’Auge.
Germany send a formidable pair in the form of Olympic medallists Daniel Deusser and Marcus Ehning, both winners of The London International Horse Show Grand Prix (now Turkish Airlines Grand Prix) in previous years, who will now have their sights set on reclaiming the title. Elsewhere, Ireland’s entries include 2012 Olympic Bronze medallist Cian O’Connor, who will compete alongside Billy Twomey, the runner-up at the Longines League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona in October.
And it will be a family occasion for Norwegian jumping dynasty, the Guilliksen family. Father Geir (“Jimmy”) and son Johan-Sebastian bring five horses between them to contend in what promises to be an adrenaline-filled edition of the Show.
For a full list of entries, please click here.
Show Chairman, Simon Brooks-Ward, commented: “We can’t wait to welcome these fantastic riders to battle it out in London in December. The line-up is as dazzling as ever, with a great breadth of rider talent and depth of horsepower, and promises a truly spectacular edition of the Show. We look forward to welcoming these combinations back to the International Arena in time for Christmas.”
For further information, click here.
Livestream available on FEI TV here.
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